Former Wigan Athletic Juan Carlos Garcia dies at the age of 29

Juan Carlos Garcia has sadly lost his battle with leukaemia aged 29.

Former Wigan Athletic defender Juan Carlos Garcia has died aged 29 after a battle with leukaemia.

The Latics confirmed the Honduras international, who played for the club between 2013 and 2016, died in his homeland overnight, surrounded by his family.

A minute's silence will be held before the club's match against Peterborough on Saturday.

David Sharpe, Wigan Athletic Chairman, 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."

When Garcia's Wigan contract ended in 2016, he was granted permission to remain in the UK to continue his treatment, with support from the club and the PFA.

He returned to Honduras late last year.

In May 2016, Garcia joined the Wigan players after the final game of the season as they paraded the League One Trophy around the DW Stadium.

A full-back, he joined Wigan in 2013 from Honduran club Olimpia and played his only game in a League Cup tie at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City.

He represented Honduras at the 2014 World Cup against Ecuador and Switzerland, having also played in a warm up game versus England.

He went on loan to Spanish side Tenerife in August 2014 but returned to England in January when he was first diagnosed with the illness.