FORMER Cardiff City FC player Peter Whittingham has died, aged 35, after suffering a head injury in a fall in a Barry pub.

He had been in hospital for more than a week after suffering the injury at around 10pm on Saturday, March 7.

Whittingham, of Penarth, played as a central midfielder and was part of the Aston Villa squad that won the 2002 FA Youth Cup.

He signed for Cardiff City, for a fee of £350,000, in 2007.

With 'The Bluebirds', Whittingham played 459 matches and scored 98 goals.

In a statement, published on its website, Cardiff City FC said: “It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35.

“We are heartbroken.

“The news of Peter’s sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation.

“Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family.

“They are at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time.

“First and foremost, Peter was a family man - and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality.

“Then, as a professional footballer - as a Bluebird - he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility.

2Nobody did it better.

“The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him.

"We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us.”

A South Wales Police spokesman confirmed Mr Whittingham had died at the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff, earlier today (March 19).

A file of evidence is being prepared for H M Coroner.

The spokesman added: “Our deepest sympathies are with Mr Whittingham’s family and friends on this occasion.”