Stood alongside adoring Cardiff City fans on Friday night, Emiliano Sala was a picture of happiness.

Just 72 hours after his club-record £15million move to the Bluebirds was officially confirmed, the Argentine striker boarded a light aircraft which went missing over the English Channel.

It’s feared the 28-year-old lost his life in the accident. Rescuers are anticipating there will be no survivors.

Outside Cardiff's ground on Tuesday, the mood was dark.

Supporters – including the six young men to meet Sala on Friday night – gathered to pay their respects. Scarves and flowers were laid. Shock was the overriding emotion.

Oliver Watson, 17, from Barry and his five friends posed alongside a smiling Sala just minutes after he’d signed on the dotted line.

(Image: Joshua Watson / Twitter)

On Tuesday, they returned to pay their respects.

“We spotted Emiliano’s car in the car park at the weekend,” Watson said. “We saw him in the window of the stadium signing paperwork, so we hung around to try and meet him.

“His agent said he’d be about 10 minutes if we wanted to wait. He eventually came out and said hello. He was just so nice and very friendly. He couldn’t speak much English, but that didn’t matter to us. He couldn’t stop smiling. It was a brief encounter, but he asked how we were and that was really nice. When I saw the news, I just couldn’t believe it. It was shock.

“He hasn’t even played a game for the club. But he signed for us, which means he’ll always be part of the club. We’ll never forget him.”

(Image: Cardiff city FC/Twitter)

There were extended, protracted negotiations over Sala joining Cardiff from French side Nantes. It is a cruel twist of fate that his dream move to English football looks like it has cost him his life.

Cardiff fans hoped Sala would bring the goals to help Neil Warnock’s men avoid relegation.

Now, the battle against the drop pales into insignificance. Supporters laid flowers and scarves to pay their respects.

“To me, Sala is a Bluebird. He signed for Cardiff and not many players want to sign for us,” said supporter David Tugwell. “If you join our club you’re part of Cardiff City and that’s why I felt I had to come down and pay tribute.”

(Image: Maxppp/PA Images)

Cardiff’s players cancelled training in light of the accident.

In Nantes, French supporters gathered in the city’s central square in memory of Sala to lay tulips, the club’s symbol.

Keith Morgan, chairman of Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust, said: “Sala never played for Cardiff City. Tragically, it seems the chance he would have had to do that has been taken from him.

“I’ve been a football fan all my life and I often tell my wife I love it more than her, but at times like this, football doesn’t matter at all. We are thinking of Sala and his family.”

(Image: REUTERS)

After the tragic death of Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in a helicopter crash, Sala looks like he has paid the ultimate price after the second air disaster to hit English football this season.

The grief will resonate in Cardiff for months to come. There are uncertain days ahead with City’s players sure to have been hit hard by the tragedy.

Vince Alm, of Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust, said: “Following the Leicester helicopter tragedy, this is another huge shock, but just like the Foxes did, Cardiff will rally together. I’ve got children who are the same age as Sala. I still can’t believe it.”