Ex-Esteghlal player Samuel killed in northwest England car crash

Former player for Iranian professional football club Esteghlal Tehran, Jlloyd Samuel, has lost his life in a terrible car crash in England's northwestern county of Cheshire, aged 37.

The former Trinidad and Tobago defender died after his “vehicle caught fire” after a collision on Tuesday, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association announced in a statement.

“We've received some terrible news that former national defender and ex-Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers player Jlloyd Samuel died in a car crash this morning in England.

"According to reports, Jlloyd was returning home after dropping his kids off to school and collided with an oncoming vehicle," the statement read.

It added, “His vehicle caught fire and his body was discovered burnt. The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and his former national teammates at this time extend deepest condolences to his family members both in the UK and here in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Samuel joined Esteghlal on December 31, 2011. He helped the Blues win Iran’s Hazfi Cup in 2012 and capture the Persian Gulf Pro League title a year later.

He extended his contract with Esteghlal on July 12, 2013, and stayed at the club for nearly a year.

Esteghlal fans nicknamed Sameul “The Black Diamond” after his great performance in the 2012–13 season.

Samuel left Esteghlal in June 2014 over what he described as a five-month pay dispute with the Tehran-based club.

He then signed a two-year contract with Paykan Football Club, which is sponsored by Iran's main automobile manufacturer Iran Khodro, on June 23, 2014. The agreement took effect on July 1 that year.

Samuel also played for the English Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers, and represented England at the under-21 level.

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