Peter Whittingham has died at the age of 35.
The former Cardiff, Aston Villa and Blackburn midfielder passed away Thursday afternoon after sustaining head injuries earlier this month.
Whittingham made over 450 appearances for the Bluebirds, winning the Championship twice and reaching both an FA Cup and a League Cup final during 11 years at the club.
He finished top scorer in the Championship in 2009/10 and was named in the PFA’s Championship Team of the Year three times.
Confirming the news, a Cardiff City statement said: “We are heartbroken. The news of Peter’s sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation.
“Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. They are at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time.
“First and foremost, Peter was a family man – and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality.
“Then, as a professional footballer – as a Bluebird – he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. Nobody did it better.”
Whittingham came through Villa‘s academy, winning the FA Youth Cup in 2002 before moving to Cardiff for £350,000 in 2007.
After establishing himself as a Cardiff legend, scoring 98 goals – many of them spectacular – he left the Bluebirds in 2017 for Blackburn, sticking with Rovers after relegation to League One.
“The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him,” the statement added.
“We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us.”
