British footballer, 22, dies after suffering 'massive heart attack' in his New York college apartment

Peter McAvoy was captain of Herkimer College football team in New York

He was America's reigning Junior College Player of the Year



His father: 'He was sitting on settee and keeled over. It's hard to believe'



Pronounced dead despite attempts by campus officers to revive him

A young British footballer has died after collapsing in his college apartment in the United States from a suspected heart attack.



Peter McAvoy, 22, a student at Herkimer College in New York State who was America's reigning Junior College Player of the Year, died on Saturday evening.



He was pronounced dead in hospital despite attempts by Campus safety officers and medics to revive him.



His father said the former Craigiebarns Primary and Craigie High school pupil just 'keeled over' without warning while sitting on his settee.



Tragedy: British footballer Peter McAvoy (pictured) has died at the age of 22 after collapsing in his college apartment in the United States Peter McAvoy Snr paid tribute to his son at the family home in Craigie as he tried to make sense of his son's sudden death. The head of education at Perth and Kinross Council said: 'Peter went with some friends to watch the softball team play and went back to his apartment afterwards when he died.

'He was sitting on the settee and just keeled over at about tea-time. RELATED ARTICLES Previous

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Next Houston Texans player Arian Foster FINALLY poses with duped... 'Drunk' teen dies after 'climbing out the window of moving... Share this article Share 'His flatmate called for the campus security and they fried to resuscitate him.

'He was taken to hospital where they spent another hour trying to bring him back to life, but weren't able to. 'The medics believe he had a massive heart attack. It's just hard to believe, he was a fit young man.' Shock: Mr McAvoy (pictured, centre, with teammates) is believed to have suffered a heart attack Mr McAvoy, from Dundee, who was captain of the college soccer team, was taken to nearby Little Falls Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His father, who rushed back from holiday in Gran Canaria after he heard the news on Saturday, recalled the last time he spoke to his son. He said: 'I spoke him recently and he was telling me they were having a ceremony next week because the team had won the league and the cup this season. 'He told me he would be speaking at the ceremony and he was really looking forward to it. I just can't believe it. 'We have no heart attack history in the family, neither my side or his mother's.

'He had so much potential. He went to America two years ago and won the championships in both seasons.

Sudden: Mr McAvoy, from Dundee, was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead 'I've been overwhelmed by the expressions of sympathy from both America and Dundee.' The former Arbroath SC and Tayport FC defender went to the United States in 2012 where he played for New York State's Herkimer Generals and was America's reigning Junior College Player of the Year. Dean of students Matthew Hawes said: 'Our deepest condolences are with Peter's family as they grieve this tragic loss. 'Our thoughts are also with his team-mates, coaches, friends, faculty and staff during this difficult time.' Talented: The former Arbroath SC defender moved to the States in 2012, where he played for New York State's Herkimer Generals and was America's reigning Junior College Player of the Year Craig Brown, co-manager of East Craigis FC, who played with Peter at Arbroath SC, added: 'He was just a gentleman, a really nice guy. Nobody can get their head around it.

'It's a tragedy He was an absolute legend of a guy - he would do anything for you - and on the football pitch he was a superb player.'

The cause of his death is not known and a post-mortem examination will be carried out, the college said.

Mr McAvoy was named national player of the year last year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The college is holding a candlelit vigil in his memory at its Wehrum Stadium this evening.