Nantes have revealed plans to retire their no.9 shirt in honour of Emiliano Sala after the striker’s body was recovered from the English Channel and formally identified.
The striker’s death was confirmed almost three weeks after his plane crashed en route from France to Cardiff.
Sala had only completed the details of his transfer to Cardiff from Nantes – for a club record £15 million – two days before the crash.
And following the tragic news on Thursday night, the Ligue 1 club paid tribute to Sala in a moving statement.
The statement read: “There are difficult mornings, nightmarish awakenings where unfortunately reality catches up with us. Emi went away…
“Arrived on the banks of the Edre in July 2015, Emiliano Sala has won the hearts of supporters in Nantes. Through his work, his anger and limitless kindness, he finished top scorer in the Yellow House for the last three seasons.
“The national and international tributes that were returned to him are up to the person and the player he was. We are losing today a friend, a talented player, an exemplary teammate.
“We do not forget in this drama the pilot and his family and trust the authorities to continue the research.
“FC Nantes, its leaders, staff, players and staff present the families of Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson and their families their deepest condolences. We will never forget you Emi.”
Waldemar Kita, the club’s president, added his own personal tribute in which he announced plans to retire the No. 9 shirt in Sala’s honour.
He said: “I do not have the words, it’s a tragedy, I’m devastated, Emiliano left his mark, which is why, like many fans, I want to honor him again by removing the number 9.”