Former Rangers player Daniel Prodan dies of a heart attack

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Tributes flowed in for Romanian footballer Daniel Prodan following the announcement that he had died of a heart attack, aged 44.

The former Rangers player's death shocked his family, friends and fans alike.

A journalist close to the former defender broke the news on Facebook on Wednesday night, as The Daily Record's Graeme Thomson reports.

Dorin Chiotea said: “Daniel Prodan died a few hours ago of a heart attack. He was 44. I was a great friend and his premature end grieves me deeply. It is the worst exclusive news in my career.

“The tragedy occurred in the Romania player’s house. The collapse was seen by his wife, Licinia, who called for help.

“The paramedics reached him in 14 minutes. Doctors tried to resuscitate him but unfortunately he succumbed to a heart attack. "

"God rest his soul!”

Prodan joined Rangers in 1998 from Atletico Madrid in a £2.2million deal when the big-spending David Murray era was at its peak under Dutch boss Dick Advocaat.

At the age of 26 the ball-playing centre-half moved to Scotland after making his name at Steaua Bucharest where he became a regular for Romania.

He played well at the 1994 World Cup in the USA with his team losing on penalties against Sweden in San Francisco in the quarter-final where the likes of Florin Raducioiu, Gheorghe Hagi and Dan Petrescu shone. He also featured at Euro 1996 in England.

However, Prodan was later injured while playing for Atletico Madrid and his move to Ibrox became one of the most infamous transfer deals in Scottish football history as he signed without a medical only for the club to find out he had a serious knee injury.

Prodan - who has a 17-year-old son Razvan - didn't kick a ball and was released two-and-a-half years later.

He returned to Romania but in the final few years of his career he only made 33 appearances before retiring at the age of 31 after playing with FC Na?ional Bucure?ti.

The player always fondly recalled his time in Scotland despite his injury woes.

Prodan said: "Personally, it was a difficult period for me because I had four operations on my knee and couldn't play for the team.

“That was a big disappointment for me but I will never forget the kindness of the Rangers fans and the Scottish people who were so friendly towards me. I met some great people at the club, people like John Greig and the kitman Jimmy Bell, who were so good to me.

"That is why I always look for Rangers' results and it always gives me pleasure to see them doing well. There will always be a piece of Rangers in my heart."