Espanyol skipper Dani Jarque dies of heart attack: reports

The skipper of Spanish top flight side Espanyol, Dani Jarque, has died from a heart attack while on a pre-season training camp in Italy, Spanish media reported Saturday.

The 26-year-old Jarque was reported to have died at the hotel where the team were staying in the town of Coviciana. He was found after teammates realised he had not shown for a meal.

Espanyol did not immediately confirm the news.

Jarque’s death comes two years after the death, also from heart failure, of Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta, who died aged 22 after having collapsed during the opening game of the Spanish La Liga season.