Tributes poured in on Thursday for former Hungary goalkeeper Marton Fulop, who played for a string of English Premier League clubs, after he died from cancer aged just 32.
“It is with deep sadness and grieving that we inform that after a long illness Marton Fulop has passed away,” Fulop’s former club MTK Budapest said on their Web site.
England coach Roy Hodgson led the tributes, saying: “I’m really devastated by the news.”
“I worked with him for a year at West Brom, he was a really nice person and a good professional,” Hodgson said. “All I can do is pass on my condolences to his family and say it is a sad day for them, but also a sad day for football, too.”
Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne, Fulop’s club between 2006 and 2010, commented: “We are devastated to hear of Marton’s passing.”
“He was a genuinely lovely man, liked and respected by everyone at the club during his four years with us,” Byrne said.As a mark of respect, Hungary’s national team wore black armbands for Thursday’s Euro 2016 playoff first leg in Oslo.
Spotted at MTK’s youth academy before having played a top flight game in Hungary, Fulop was signed by English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in 2004 as backup to England international Paul Robinson.
A series of loan moves took the Hungarian to Chesterfield, Coventry City and Sunderland, who signed Fulop in 2007, before loaning him out again to Leicester City, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion.
The player also had a short stint in Greece with Asteras Tripolis, who he helped reach their highest-ever league finish of fourth place in the 2012-2013 season.
Handed an international debut against France in 2005 by then-coach Lothar Matthaeus, Fulop kept nine clean sheets in 24 appearances for Hungary, his last game for his nation coming in Amsterdam against the Netherlands in 2011.
In February 2013, Fulop reported sharp pain in his arm after saving a shot during a training session. A cancer diagnosis followed soon after.
Following an operation to remove the tumor and chemotherapy, the player believed he had made a full recovery.
“I hope to carry on where I left off,” Fulop said during an interview with Hungarian Web site Origo.hu in October 2013.
However, although several clubs were interested in signing the player, he never returned to professional soccer.
Many Hungarian clubs on Thursday posted photographs and tributes to Fulop on their Web sites, while former teammates also paid their respects.
“My dear friend! This is unspeakable pain, but you are with us in our hearts, we are more determined than ever, we will play today for you,” Hungary and Videoton defender Roland Juhasz said in a Facebook message.
“Rest in peace Marci,” said Liverpool reserve goalkeeper and current first choice for Hungary Adam Bogdan, who changed his Twitter profile to black.
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