Aaron Ramsey pays tribute to Diogo Jota following death of Liverpool forward aged 28

Former Arsenal captain Aaron Ramsey has paid tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, following his tragic death aged 28. The Portugal international and his brother Andre Silva were involved in a road traffic accident in Zamora, Spain, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The footballing world has been in mourning following the shock news that emerged regarding the Premier League-winning forward and his younger sibling, who also plays professional football for Portuguese second-tier side Penafiel.Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have been among the current players in north Londonto offer their condolences.

Ramsey joined Pumas de la UNAM in Mexico and was unveiled as the new signing at the North American giants on Thursday.

READ MORE: Former Arsenal star Thomas Partey charged with rape by Metropolitan Police

READ MORE: Takehiro Tomiyasu breaks silence with emotional Arsenal message as exit confirmed

During his press conference, he paid tribute to the Liverpoolstriker and his brother.

He said: “It’s a heartbreaking moment, my thoughts and prayers go out to him and his brother’s family.

"It’s just a really tragic accident that no words can really comprehend.

"I just can’t imagine what his family are going through at the moment but our thoughts and prayers are with him at this difficult time.”

The bodies of Jota and his younger brother returned to their homeland of Portugal late on Thursday evening and a wake was held in the town of Gondomar on Friday with the funeral service planned on Sunday, July 5.

The Liverpool ECHO have reported that Liverpool have postponed the start of pre-season schedule which was due to begin its first phase on Friday before a larger contingent were due to return on Monday (July 7).

In a statement from local police, the Guardia Civil, they said: "The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blow out while overtaking.

"It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora.

"The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed."

An official Liverpool FC statement, released shortly before 10.30am on Thursday morning, read: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.

"The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.

"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.

"We will continue to provide them with our full support."