Cedric Roussel dead: Former Coventry City star dies age 45
Former Premier League and Belgian striker Cedric Roussel has died at the age of 45 after suffering a heart attack
- Roussel retired from football in 2015 after a long career as a striker
- He played for Coventry City and Wolves during his time in England
- He is believed to have died on Saturday after a cardiac arrest in Belgium
Belgium mourns the death of former footballer Cedric Roussel following his sudden death on Saturday afternoon.
Capped three times by his country in 2003, Roussel played for the likes of Coventry and Wolves while in England during a long career in the game.
He enjoyed most of his success for Mons in Belgium in two separate spells at the club, first in 2003 on loan from Wolves and then between 2007 and 2010 as a permanent signing.
In 2003 he was the top scorer in the Jupiler Pro League with Mons, scoring 22 times in the season.
After his retirement in 2015, he started a career in real estate, but his death was announced at the age of 45.
Former Coventry and Wolves striker Cedric Roussel has died aged 45
Roussel was in England as a player for a total of four years, although he was loaned to Mons for one year in Belgium
Belgium led the social media tributes, with Roussel making three appearances for his country
Belgium led the tributes on Twitter, posting: “We send our condolences to Cedric Roussel’s family and friends” accompanied by a photo of him playing for his country.
Coventry, where Roussel had a brief but positive partnership with Robbie Keane, posted: ‘Coventry City are deeply saddened by the passing of our former striker Cedric Roussel, aged just 45.
Cedric played 43 games for the Sky Blues from 1999 to 2001, scoring 11 goals. Our condolences are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”
Roussel began his career with La Louviere in his home country, making over 100 appearances before joining Coventry in 1999, initially on loan.
After his loan spell, the move became permanent as he settled for a four-year stay in England.
Coventry also shared a heartwarming message for the former attacker on Saturday evening
He played for different parties – here in the picture he played for Zulte Waregem in 2006 – before he retired in 2015
He scored two goals for Wolves during a brief stay at the club at the turn of the century
He went on to play for Wolves and was loaned out to Mons for the 2002/03 season where he enjoyed his most successful campaign.
This was followed by a move from Ghent, as well as spells at Rubin Kazan, Standard Liège, Zulte Waregem and Brescia, before moving permanently to Mons in 2007.
Three years late, he left the club and enjoyed brief spells at various sides, including back at La Louviere, before ending professional play.
He is survived by a son, Cameron, who was born in 2001 to Roussel and ex-girlfriend Kirsty Wood.