Sad day In Football As Former Barcelona Goalkeeper Passes On At Age 46

- Francesc Arnau, former Barcelona goalkeeper has been announced dead

- The 46-year-old had a three-year spell at the Camp Nou from 1998-2001

- The Spain ex-international also had administrative roles with Malaga and Real Oviedo

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Former Barcelona shot-stopper Francesc Arnau has died at the age of 46, AS, Barcelona.

The goalkeeper began his career in Barca's youth academy and broke into the club's first team between 1998 to 2001.

During his spell at the Camp Nou, the then young shot-stopper made fantastic saves both on the domestic and continental scenes.

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Barcelona released a statement on Twitter:

"We deeply regret the death of Francesc Arnau (1975), who joined FC Barcelona at youth level and became a first-team goalkeeper between 1998 and 2001. He was most recently the sporting director at Real Oviedo. Rest in peace."

Arnau made an emphatic debut under former coach Louis Van Gaal in 1996 during the 3-3 draw with Atletico Madrid while he was still Team B goalie.

The former Spain U21 international joined La Liga outfit Malaga in 2001 and spent 10 seasons where Arnau got relegated with the club and got promoted before retiring in 2011.

After making more than 131 appearances, he became sporting director at Malaga before taking up the same role at Real Oviedo since 2019, filling the vacancy left by Joaquín del Olmo and Michu.

The former La Bluagrana star was being considered for a technical secretary post by newly elected president Joan Laporta.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Steve Conroy, former Sheffield United shot-stopper has passed on after losing a long battle to illness at the age of 65, Sheffield United Website and Super Sport report.

The goalkeeper was a regular at Barmall Lane before he broke his arm in a game against St, Mirren in December 1979.

Conroy made 137 starts for the Blades and was a fan favourite as well as being regarded by the club's backroom staff.

When he left United, he had a brief spell Leeds United before joining Rotherham then moved to Rochdale before finding his way back to Rotherham.

Legit.ng also reported that it's nine years since one of Nigeria's most prolific strikers Rashidi Yekini passed on and his former teammate Patrick Pascal has expressed that the forward made a huge impact in the game.

The 1993 African Footballer of the Year played seven tournaments for Nigeria and scored 37 goals in all competitions.

Yekini became the first Nigeria to score a World Cup goal at the 1994 tournament held in the United States.