Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell collapsed on the pitch during a Scottish Premier League match. O'Donnell who won one cap for Scotland in 1993, was taken off the pitch on a stretcher 12 minutes from the end of the game against Dundee United, which third-placed Motherwell won 5-3.
Motherwell owner John Boyle described the death as unspeakable tragedy.
"Phil was rushed to Wishaw General Hospital by ambulance after collapsing during today's game," the club said in a statement on their website (www.motherwellfc.co.uk).
"Motherwell & Dundee United medical staff believe he suffered a seizure and efforts were made to revive him en route to hospital.
"Despite the efforts of the two club's medical staff & medical staff at the hospital. Phil did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead at 17:18 (GMT).
"This is an unspeakable tragedy for Phil's family," Boyle said.
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee said: "We are totally devastated and our thoughts are with Phil's wife and family.
"Phil was a great professional and gave everything when he played the game. This is a shocking tragedy".
O'Donnell was a huge favourite having made his debut as a 17-year-old in the 1990/91 season, and later that campaign scoring in their 4-3 Scottish Cup final win over Dundee United.
He made his sole Scotland appreance as a sub in a World Cup qualifying game against Switzerland at Aberdeen in 1993 and the following year moved to Celtic for what reamins a Motherwell club record fee of 1.75 million pounds.
He spent five years at Celtic before moving to England with Sheffield Wednesday, where he made only 20 appreances in four injury ravaged seasons.
He made an emotional return to Motherwell in 2004 in a game against Dundee United where nephew Clarkson scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win and earlier this year (2007) signed a new contract as a player-coach.
Former Scotland manager Craig Brown told Sky Sports: It's very very sad news and I just can't take it in. He was a perfect gentleman. You will not get a more ideal role model for a young footballer than Phil O'Donnell".
Rest In Peace Phil O'Donnell...
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