Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has passed away aged 47 after suffering from a cardiac arrest last week.
The ex-Magpie collapsed when out running back in his native Czech Republic last week, and remained in an induced coma until today.
He was then taken to Ostrava-Poruba hospital where he was fighting for his life in a critical condition. However, today (29th December) it was announced he had passed away with his family by his bedside.
Srnicek is best known in England for his lengthy period with Newcastle. Between 1991 and 1998, he made 189 appearances for the Magpies and became a club icon in the process.
He spent the rest of his playing career in England, playing for teams like West Ham United, Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth, before making a return to Newcastle in 2006.
In a statement made to The Mirror, Srnicek’s agent Steve Wraith said: “It is with deep sadness that I have to announce the passing of former Newcastle United player Pavel Srnicek.”
“Pavel suffered a cardiac arrest before the Christmas period in his home country and had been in an induced coma in hospital with his close family around his bedside.”
“Despite the best medical attention the final brain scans on Monday showed irreversible damage and the decision had to be taken to switch off the life support machine. Pav passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 29 2015 with his family by his side.”
“Pavel, the goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague, had recently been on a whistle-stop tour of Tyneside to promote his autobiography, ‘Pavel Is A Geordie’, something that he was very proud of.”
“My final conversation with him was about getting the entertainers team back together one more time for charity next year as it will be 20 years since that Newcastle team almost won the Premier League.”
“We will make that happen and celebrate this great man’s life together.”
Rest in peace, Pavel. Once a Geordie, always a Geordie.
