Marton Fulop, former Tottenham goalkeeper, dies aged 32

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Marton Fulop has died at the age of 32, MTK Budapest have announced.

The Hungary international - who had battled cancer in recent years - played for Spurs between 2004 and 2006, although he never made a first-team appearance for the club, but really made his name in England during his time at Sunderland.

Fulop spent four years with the Black Cats during which time he made his top-flight debut for the team, and also enjoyed stints at Ipswich and West Brom while having loan spells at Manchester City, Stoke, Leicester, Chesterfield and Coventry.

Tottenham released a statement on Thursday expressing their sadness following the news of Fulop's death.

"Our thoughts are with Marton’s family and friends at this sad time," the statement on the club's website read.

Sunderland also published a tribute to their former goalkeeper on their website on Thursday, in which the club’s chief executive, Margaret Byrne, said: "We are devastated to hear of Marton’s passing.

"He was a genuinely lovely man, liked and respected by everyone at the club during his four years with us.

"It's desperately sad when we lose a Sunderland family member but to lose one so young in such circumstances is heart-breaking.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Marton’s family and friends at this terribly sad time."

Several other teams expressed their sadness at hearing the news of Fulop's passing away as did several of his former teammates.

West Brom shot-stopper Ben Foster tweeted: "Rest in Peace Marton Fulop, one of the good guys and taken way too early. Thoughts and love go to the Fulop family."

Ex-Sunderland defender Danny Higginbotham also took to social media to say: "So sad to hear the news of Marton Fulop. Spent a lot of time with him at Sunderland - one of the good guys. Thoughts with his family."