Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Queens Park Rangers have confirmed that former youth team goalkeeper Tommaso Trani has died aged 21.

The shot stopper was on the books at Loftus Road between 2011 and 2013, and has passed away peacefully following a short illness.

Trani returned to his native Italy when his contract expired with Rangers, having initially been part of the youth setup at AC Milan before his move to west London.

He died on Thursday morning.

Temporary QPR boss Neil Warnock was the manager when Trani first arrived at the club in 2011.

(Image: Ian Walton)

He told the Hoops' official website: “This is absolutely tragic news. Tommaso was such a lovely, lovely lad.

“When something terrible like this happens it opens everybody’s eyes to the fact that football is only a game. There is nothing more important than your health.

“It gives us all a sense of perspective, particularly as he was so young. My thoughts are with his family.”