Ex-Cote d’Ivoire player, Gohouri, ‘found dead’

Former Ivory coast defender, Steve Gohouri, died on New Year’s eve, almost three weeks after he was declared missing by his family on December 12.

The body of the 34-year-old former Ivorian, who appeared 12 times for the Elephants, was found by the German police in a River in Rhine, in the western city of Krefeld.

Gohouri had attended the Christmas party of his German club, TSV Steinbach, on December 12. He was expected to visit his family in Paris but was never seen or heard of until the discovery of his body.

A statement by German police suggests no “suspicious circumstance” surrounding his death.

The player’s former club, Wigan Athletic, paid tributes to him via their social media handle.

“We are saddened to hear reports of our former defender Steve Gohouri passing away. Our thoughts are with his family.”

We are saddened to hear reports of our former defender Steve Gohouri passing away. Our thoughts are with his family. pic.twitter.com/aPeoseAk8g

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— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) January 2, 2016

Compatriot and Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure, also paid tribute to his former teammate.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Steve Gohouri. Very sad news that he is no longer with us. RIP,” Toure wrote.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Steve Gohouri. Very sad news that he is no longer with us. RIP 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/l6V5hOLvO1

— Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) January 3, 2016

Born in Abidjan in 1981, Gohouri moved a suburb in Paris, France, where he grew up and started his football career with PSG and later moved on across several European countries, including Israel, Italy, Switzerland, England, Liechtenstein, Greece and Germany.