A NUMBER OF FOOTBALL CLUBS HAVE offered their condolences to Gianluca Vialli, the former Chelsea and Italian striker that lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.
The 58-year-old passed away in a London hospital confirmed by a number of sources on Thursday.
His family have now released a short statement confirming he passed away on Thursday evening. It read: “We thank the many who have supported him over the years with their affection. The memory of him and his example will live forever in our hearts.”
The Italian forward is best known for playing for Italy, Juventus and Chelsea during his career.
You’ll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football.
Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli. 💙 pic.twitter.com/mNJPDkCSYO— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 6, 2023
In 733 games, the Italian scored 275 goals across his career.
As a manager, he won three major trophies during his time at Stamford Bridge, after he took over as a player-manager in 1998 winning the League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup in his first few months in charge.
He eventually added the FA Cup to the trophy cabinet in 2000.
In recent years he has formed part of Roberto Mancini’s backroom staff with the Italian national side - although he stepped away from the role last month as his battle with cancer.
Chelsea also paid tribute to the their former player via a tweet and said, "
You’ll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football. Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli. "
Manchester United also added "A wonderful player, manager and person against whom it was a privilege to compete. Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli."
