Chris Bart-Williams, a former midfielder for Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, passed away at the age of 49.
He passed away in the United States, where he served as a coach and mentor, Sheffield Wednesday reported.
The club added: “We are deeply saddened at the passing of our former player Chris Bart-Williams.”
When he was 16 years old, Bart-Williams made his full club debut for Leyton Orient in a 4-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers.
He signed up with the Owls in 1991, and he played more than 100 times for the team.
Before stints at Charlton and Ipswich Town, Bart-Williams joined Forest in 1995 and played more than 200 times for the City Ground team.
Forest said they were “deeply saddened”, adding: “Our thoughts go out to Chris’ family and friends at this truly difficult time.”
His death came on the same day as that of Trevor Francis, who Forest made Britain’s first £1m footballer when they signed him from Birmingham City in 1979.
Francis also managed Bart-Williams when he was in charge of Sheffield Wednesday and brought him on as a substitute in the 1993 FA Cup final, which saw the Owls beaten by Arsenal following a replay.
“Bart-Williams’ untimely passing mirrors that of his manager at Hillsborough, Trevor Francis, who also died on this, one of the darkest days in our long history,” added Sheffield Wednesday in a statement.
Former Sheffield Wednesday striker Mark Bright described Bart-Williams as “a wonderfully gifted player, with a huge personality, and a very charismatic guy”.
He added: “To know him was to love him, sending love to his family, friends and former team-mates.”
