German and world football is in shock after Hannover 96 captain Robert Enke died in an apparent suicide.
The 32-year-old was hit by a train at a level crossing north-west of Hannover. He had been expected to take part in the 2010 World Cup as first choice goalkeeper.
"The German team has learned of the death of Robert Enke with great shock,” read a statement released by the German football federation.
Coach Joachim Loew and manager Oliver Bierhoff added they were “speechless.”
"The victim is apparently national team goalkeeper Robert Enke from Hannover 96. The first police indications are that it was a suicide," announced the police.
He had eight caps for Germany and had played for clubs Jena, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce and Tenerife.
Enke returned to Germany with Hannover in 2004 and his contract was set to expire at the end of the season.
Following Jens Lehmann’s retirement, the 32-year-old was likely to be first choice goalkeeper for Germany at the World Cup.
He was not in the squad for Saturday’s friendly with Chile, as he had been suffering from a virus and only just returned to action with his club.
Enke leaves wife Teresa and an eight-month-old daughter the family adopted in May. They had a daughter, Lara, who died in 2006 of a rare heart condition at the age of two.
Speechless.
RIP.
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