COVENTRY City have paid tribute to former striker Cedric Roussel, who has died at the age of 45.
Cedric played 43 games for the Sky Blues from 1999 to 2001, scoring 11 goals.
Roussel initially joined the club on a season-long loan from Gent in his native Belgium. He scored his first goal in a 2-1 win over local rivals Aston Villa in November 1999.
He formed a potent strike partnership with Robbie Keane under then Sky Blues’ manager Gordon Strachan.
The team at that time – playing a brand of exciting, attacking football – saw then dubbed ‘The Entertainers’.
Roussel was praised for his ‘intelligent link play and aerial threat’ which, the club said, was crucial in creating opportunities for the likes of Keane, Gary McAllister and Moustapha Hadji. The club finished the season in 14th place in the Premier League.
After the successful loan spell, Roussel was made a permanent fixture in 2000.
The Sky Blues, without Keane and McAllister, struggled the 2000/01 campaign and would be relegated in May 2001 and Roussel left in February 2001 following an injury-prone season.
He went to Wolves, before spells at sides including Mons and Genk before retiring.
Roussel, who passed away after a cardiac arrest, was also capped three times by Belgium.
A club spokesperson said: “The condolences of all at Coventry City Football Club are with Cedric’s family and friends at this very sad time.”
