Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell has died after collapsing during his team's match against Dundee United, club chairman Bill Dickie confirmed.
O'Donnell, who was 35, was taken off the pitch at Fir Park on a stretcher in the closing stages of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League match.
He was set to be replaced by substitute Marc Fitzpatrick in a match Motherwell won 5-3, but fell to the pitch as the change was taking place.
After been treated for around five minutes on the field, O'Donnell was carried off on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
O'Donnell's nephew, David Clarkson, was also playing in the match, and was taken off after being alarmed by the incident.
O'Donnell, who won one Scotland cap, began his career with Motherwell and rejoined the club in 2004 following spells with Celtic, who he joined in a £1.75million deal in 1994, and Sheffield Wednesday.
Chairman Dickie said: ‘Unfortunately I can confirm very, very sad news that Phil O'Donnell has lost his life.
‘We don't know what it was but there will be a post-mortem.
‘This is a tragic happening and that's all I can say.’
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee said: ‘I don't want to say anything more than how devastated everyone at the club is for his wife and his young children.
‘That's what we are all feeling tonight, nothing else matters.
‘Obviously from the club's point of view we'll gather round to give his family as much support as they need.’
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell expressed the club's sadness at the death of their former player.
‘When the news came through, everyone at the club was obviously shocked,’ said Lawwell.
‘Obviously our thoughts are with his family to whom we offer extreme condolences for a tragic loss of a young life.
‘Everyone at Celtic Park will mourn him.’
Gordon Smith, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, said: ‘This is absolutely devastating news.
‘Phil was not just a wonderful footballer, he was a great human being. My thoughts are with his family at this tragic time.’
Motherwell have had to deal with tragedy in the past.
Legendary winger Davie Cooper died at the age of 39 in 1995 after suffering a brain haemorrhage when filming a training video.
Cooper had been a Motherwell team-mate of O'Donnell for several years.
O'Donnell made his Motherwell debut as a 17-year-old and went on to score, as a 19-year-old, in the 4-3 victory over Dundee United in the 1991 Scottish Cup final.
He also won a Scotland cap in 1993, as a substitute in the World Cup qualifier against Switzerland.
It was his only appearance for the national team, with injuries affecting O'Donnell's spells with Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday.
He returned to Motherwell after being released by Sheffield Wednesday in 2003, and made his second debut for the club in January 2004.
He played for 'Well in the 2005 Scottish League Cup final and was appointed captain in 2006, after former skipper Scott Leitch left the club.
Image courtesy of Motherwell FC's official website.
