TRIBUTES have flooded in for a footballer who died after a pre-season friendly.
The 27-year-old is suspected to have suffered a heart attack and passed away despite the best efforts of emergency services.
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Javier Guitian was a midfielder for Spanish side San Jorge de Llanes.
The tragedy happened after a friendly against fellow National Youth League side Urraca last Saturday.
Local outlet El Comercio reported that he felt unwell behind the wheel and suffered a heart attack when he got out of his vehicle.
Emergency services spent an hour trying to resuscitate Guitian outside La Xagarda restaurant in Asturias.
His club posted a statement after the tragedy.
It read: “We cannot find an explanation for what happened yesterday afternoon, there are no words to describe the void you leave in our club, a very hard blow that we have to face.
“At Ereba you will always be present, 22.
“From the club, we send all the strength in the world to the family and friends in these difficult times.”
Opposing side Urraca also issued a statement, which said: “We join in the pain after the terrible loss of Javi Guitian, with whom we played a friendly match yesterday.
“In addition to a great person and athlete, Javi was a very close friend of the bulk of our team.
“The first team is a great source of joy for us, which is why we feel it even more.
“We want to send our condolences to his family and friends in this irreparable loss, rest in peace Javi.”
Guitian spent his entire career in Asturias’ non-league system.
