Former Arsenal player Jose Antonio Reyes dies in car crash aged 35

Gone too soon!

Arsenal  legend Jose Antonio Reyes was killed today in a car crash as he reportedly made his way home to his wife and children.

The 35-year-old was killed alongside his cousin as the Mercedes they were travelling in came off the road and burst into flames near to his hometown in Spain.

The ex-Spanish international and Arsenal hero – who was part of the Gunners’ Invincibles side that went unbeaten in the 2003/04 Premier League season – died near Seville, Spain.

Reyes’ 23-year-old cousin Jonathan died, Spanish media reports, while a third person, Juan Manuel Calderon, suffered 60 per cent burns and was taken to hospital after the car crashed at around 11.40am.

It is understood the footballer was on his way home to his family after training, having not been picked for the match against Cadiz tomorrow, Spanish media reports.

Reyes leaves behind two daughters, Noelia, five, and Triana, two, with wife Noelia Lopez, and a son, 11-year-old Jose Antonio Jr, from a previous relationship.

Arsenal today lowered its flag to pay respect to Reyes as former manager Arsène Wenger said: “I am devastated to hear the terrible news about Jose. To his family and friends, all support from everyone in the Arsenal family. He will remain forever in our hearts.”

The crash is thought to have happened just outside of Seville on a road between the city and Utrera, the town of Reyes’ birth.

His former side Sevilla tweeted earlier today: “We couldn’t be confirming worse news.

"Beloved Sevilla star Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace.”

A minute’s silence will be observed later today at the Champions League final in Madrid in memory of Reyes, and seven matches in LaLiga have been postponed.

And Reyes’ hometown Utrera has declared there will be two days of mourning and all flags in the town will be flown at half mast.