ANKARA
A former Dutch football player, Fernando Ricksen has died of ALS at the age of 43, the Dutch football federation announced on Wednesday.
“The KNVB has been saddened by the death of Fernando Ricksen. The 12-time international was sick for quite some time. In 2013 it was announced that he was suffering from ALS, an incurable disease from which he died today,” the Dutch Football Association’s (KNVB) website for the Netherlands football team said.
It stated that Ricksen sustained the ALS, which is still an incurable muscle disease caused him to die at the 43.
The 2008 UEFA Cup winner, Ricksen was a Zenit Saint Petersburg and Glasgow Rangers veteran.
“Everyone at Zenit wishes to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Fernando Ricksen. Before Saturday’s match with Rubin Kazan we will hold a minutes silence in Fernando’s memory,” Russian club Zenit said on its website to offer condolences.
Meanwhile Scottish club Glasgow Rangers said on its website that the club was saddened over Ricksen’s death.
“Rangers is deeply saddened to announce that former player Fernando Ricksen passed away this morning following his battle with motor neurone disease,” Rangers said.
In July 2000, Ricksen joined Rangers from AZ Alkmaar from the Netherlands, in his experience playing for an international club.
On Jan. 1, 2007, the Dutch defender moved to Zenit where he won the UEFA Cup title and UEFA Super Cup.
Separately he had 12 appearances for the Netherlands.
Ricksen last played for Dutch club Fortuna Sittard until his retirement in 2013.
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