Chelsea mourns as Gianluca Vialli dies at 58

Premier League side, Chelsea have joined a host of clubs in paying tribute to the great late Gianluca Vialli, who lost a long battle with pancreatic cancer on Friday.

In a statement on its website, Chelsea expressed grief at the death of one of its most iconic players who joined the club in the summer of 1996, shortly after skippering Juventus to Champions League glory.

”Everyone associated with Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of Gianluca Vialli, our former player and manager, at the age of just 58.

As soon as he walked through the door at Stamford Bridge when already a global football star, Luca declared his wish to become a Chelsea legend. It is a target he undoubtedly reached, revered for his work on the pitch and in the dugout during some of the most successful years in our history.

Loved by fans, players and staff at Stamford Bridge, Luca will be sorely missed not just by the Chelsea community, but the entire footballing world, including in his native Italy, where he was such an iconic figure.

Our thoughts are with Luca’s wife Cathryn, his daughters Sofia and Olivia, and the rest of his family and his friends at this terribly sad time.’ the statement read.

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali added: ‘This is truly an awful day for Chelsea Football Club. Gianluca’s legend will live on at Stamford Bridge.

‘His impact as a player, a coach and most importantly as a person, will be forever written across our club’s history. We send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to his family and friends.’

Vialli scored 40 goals in 87 appearances for the west London side. 21 of the goals came in 58 Premier League appearances, winning 25 of the games.