Rangers have officially sent their condolences to the family and friends of former Ibrox centre-back Marius Žaliūkas.
The big Lithuanian defender spent a season at Rangers in 2014/15 and has tragically passed away at the age of 36 after a battle with a mystery illness.
Former defender Žaliūkas spent a year at Rangers in the first half of the last decade. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Rangers took to Twitter to send a message of support for the family of the ex-Lithuania captain, who also turned out for the likes of FBK Kaunas, Hearts, Leeds United and Zalgiris.
#RangersFC is tonight shocked and saddened to hear of the death of former player Marius Zaliukas at the age of just 36.
The thoughts of the directors, management and players of Rangers are with Marius’ family at this sad and difficult timehttps://t.co/AZfWenWpX9 pic.twitter.com/Z3P5l6jCww
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 31, 2020
Part of a Rangers statement reads:
“Rangers Football Club is tonight shocked and saddened to hear of the death of former player Marius Zaliukas at the age of just 36.
“The defender spent season 2014/15 at Ibrox where he made 28 appearances and netted twice.
“He began his career in his homeland, Lithuania, before coming to prominence at Hearts.
“The thoughts of the directors, management and players of Rangers are with Marius’ family at this sad and difficult time.”
Rangers fans have also been paying tribute to the defender with 36 no age at all for someone to lose their life, particularly a former athlete.
Marius Žaliūkas was best known for a six-year spell with Hearts, playing 214 times at Tynecastle and captaining the club to Scottish Cup success in 2012.
The news broke whilst Hearts were in the middle of a tense Scottish Cup semi-final clash against Hibs at Hampden and rather poignantly, the Jambos managed to edge out a tight affair 2-1 in extra time.
The club have since dedicated the win to their former captain.
Everyone at Heart of Midlothian Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of Scottish Cup winning captain Marius Zaliukas.
A full tribute will follow, but for now we send our love to Marius' family and friends.
That win was for you, skipper 🏆 ♥️ pic.twitter.com/kH7aHePOSi
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) October 31, 2020
Proud Lithuanian Marius would also make 25 appearances for his country, scoring once.
Everyone at Rangers News sends their condolences to Marius’ family and friends.