Former rugby league star Ricky Bibey has died aged 40.
The Leigh-born prop-forward passed away while on holiday, one of his former clubs has said. Reports in Italy say Bibey was the 40-year-old British man found dead in a hotel in Florence on Saturday evening.
According to local media reports, Bibey was found in his hotel room after staff alerted the police. He is reported to have arrived in the Italian city on Friday night with a 43-year-old woman, who is understood to be his partner.
The woman is being treated at the city’s Careggi hospital after being found with serious injuries. Local police and forensic teams were seen at the luxury four-star Hotel Continentale on Saturday.
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Bibey broke onto the scene in 2001 playing for Wigan Warriors but also turned out for Leigh Centurions, St Helens and Wakefield Trinity. In a memorable career he twice won the Challenge Cup. His death prompted tributes from representatives of the clubs he used to play for.
Paying tribute to their former player, a spokesperson for Wakefield said on Twitter: "Trinity are saddened to hear of the passing of former prop-forward Ricky Bibey, aged 40.
"Ricky played for Trinity between 2007 and 2009, making 60 appearances. We send our condolences to Ricky's family and friends at this tough time."
Leigh East, the club where Bibey made his start as a junior, also had kind words for his family. In a tweet, a club spokesperson said: "All at the club are saddened to hear about the death of our former junior Ricky Bibey who passed away on holiday.
"Ricky played professionally for a number of clubs including Leigh, Wigan, St Helens and Wakefield. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: “We are in touch with the Italian police following the death of a British man in Florence.”
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