The footballing world has joined Leicester City in mourning the passing of club chairman and owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
The Foxes confirmed Srivaddhanaprabha was among five people who had perished in a helicopter crash at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
A statement from Leicestershire Police named the five people who were on board the helicopter when the incident happened as Srivaddhanaprabha, two members of his staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.
The Thai businessman had bought the club in 2010 and overseen a remarkable rise, as Leicester not only returned to the Premier League, but won one of the league’s most memorable titles in 2015-16.
Thousands flocked to the stadium to pay tribute to Srivaddhanaprabha on Sunday, and after Leicester City confirmed their chairman’s death, Leicester City players and clubs from England and abroad joined in voicing their sadness over the footballing world’s loss.
Social media on Sunday was inundated with moving tributes to the 60-year-old.
The Thai businessman was hugely popular among supporters, and their fairytale Premier League title success in 2015-16 will be remembered as his greatest achievement and legacy.
Srivaddhanaprabha was married with four children. Leicester City’s vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, who is Vichai’s son, was not at the game. It is unknown who will take control of the club following Vichai’s tragic death.