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Former goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek dies aged 47 after cardiac arrest

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has died following a cardiac arrest. 

The 47-year-old had been in an induced coma in the Czech Republic since collapsing while out jogging on Dec. 20, and a decision was taken to switch off his life support machine.

The former Czech Republic international collapsed while out running near his home in Ostrava just days after spending time in the North-East of England promoting his forthcoming autobiography, "Pavel Is A Geordie."

His agent, Steve Wraith, said in a statement: "It is with deep sadness that I have to announce the passing of former Newcastle United player Pavel Srnicek.

"Pavel suffered a cardiac arrest before the Christmas period in his home country and had been in an induced coma in hospital with his close family around his bedside.

"Despite the best medical attention the final brain scans on Monday showed irreversible damage and the decision had to be taken to switch off the life support machine. Pav passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday Dec. 29, 2015, with his family by his side.

"Pavel, the goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague, had recently been on a whistle-stop tour of Tyneside to promote his autobiography 'Pavel Is A Geordie,' something that he was very proud of.

"My final conversation with him was about getting the entertainer's team back together one more time for charity next year as it will be 20 years since that Newcastle team almost won the Premier League.

"We will make that happen and celebrate this great man's life together -- United, fans and players alike."

Srnicek made 150 appearances for Newcastle between 1991 and 1998 and went on to have spells with Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and West Ham before returning to St James' Park in 2006.

He was popular member of Kevin Keegan's side that famously led the Premier League by January of the 1995-96 season but were eventually beaten to the title by Manchester United.

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