Sale Sharks have announced that their former wing Selorm Kuadey has died at the age of 24.
The north-west club said in a statement that they were ‘shocked and deeply saddened’ by the news that Kaudey, who retired from rugby because f injury in 2010, had apparently taken his own life.
The Ukraine-born Kuadey, who was an England U19 and U20 international, spent five years with Sale, but was never a first-team regular. He later started a post-rugby career after obtaining a first class honours degree in human biology and infectious diseases.
Sale chief-executive Mick Hogan said on Monday: "Everyone at Sale Sharks passes their deepest sympathies to Selorm's family and friends at this very difficult and upsetting time.
"Selorm was a very popular young man and a wonderfully talented rugby player.We are devastated to learn about his tragic death and the club is offering our full support to his family, friends and former team-mates during this deeply traumatic period."
Stephen Brown, the acting chief-executive of the Rugby Football Union, also expressed his regret, saying: "Selorm was a popular young man who won the respect of his peers and impressed everyone he came into contact with while representing England. He will be greatly missed by the rugby community and our thoughts are with his family and friends at such a sad time."