Ex-Preston star Pavel Pergl dead aged 40 after being found at home in apparent suicide leaving behind one-year-old daughter


FORMER Preston defender Pavel Pergl has been found dead at home in an apparent suicide.

The Czech played for Preston in 2007, making 11 second-tier appearances and scoring one goal.

Pavel Pergl, right, has passed away in Magdeburg, Germany
News Group Newspapers Ltd

German police discovered Pergl’s body at his flat in Magdeburg, Germany, on Tuesday. Local reports say he hung himself.

The former centre-back, 40, leaves behind a partner and one-year-old daughter.

Pergl joined Preston from Sparta Prague. He left the Lilywhites for Cypriot club AEK Larnaca 11 years ago.

The Prague-born ace also played for Dynamo Dresden, and finished his career with clubs in Israel and Switzerland.

Pavel Pergl goes head to head withg Wayne Rooney in a Champions League match in 2004
Pavel Pergl goes head to head with Wayne Rooney in a Champions League match in 2004
News Group Newspapers Ltd
Pergl, left, in a Champions League match against Arsenal at Highbury in 2005
Reuters

Sparta said in a statement: “It is very sad news for Sparta and all football fans to hear that our former player Pavel Pergl has died.

“He joined us as a ten-year-old, and played 68 first-team matches for us. Rest in peace.”

Jiri Kotrba, Pergl’s former coach at Sparta, said: “Pavel was an absolute warrior. He gave everything, and risked his health.

“He could take the knocks, but he always solved our problems on the pitch and never injured anyone.”

Pergl won two Czech league titles with Sparta.


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