Tributes as footballer dies at 29
TRIBUTES have been paid to former Wigan Athletic defender Juan Carlos Garcia, who has died following a battle with leukaemia.
A statement from the club said Garcia passed away in his native Honduras aged 29.
He was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 during a loan spell with Tenerife from Wigan.
Following his diagnosis he was granted permission to remain in the UK to continue his treatment at The Christie, with support from Wigan, the PFA players’ union and his family.
Garcia moved back to his home country towards the end of last year.
The club confirmed a minute’s silence will be held ahead of their league match with Peterborough this Saturday.
Wigan chairman David Sharpe said: “This is such tragic news and we send our deepest condolences as a club to Juan Carlos’ family and friends who have had to sit by and watch this sad story unfold over the past few years.
“We have offered what support we can but, despite the best possible treatment at Christie’s Hospital, Juan Carlos has tragically not been able to beat this terrible illness.
“At just 29 years old, he was far too young to be taken and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Garcia was with the club between 2013 and 2016, and played his only game in the League Cup against City at the Ethiad Stadium.
He represented Honduras at the World Cup in 2014 against Ecuador and Switzerland, having also played in a warm-up game against England.
Garcia went on loan to Spanish side Tenerife in August 2014, but returned to England in January when he was first diagnosed with the illness.
He was last seen by Wigan supporters during celebrations in May 2016 following the final game of the season.
During the event he was presented to the crowd and joined players as they paraded the League One Trophy around the DW Stadium.