Family pay tribute to "loving son, father and brother" Jlloyd Samuel

The family of former footballer Jlloyd Samuel who died in a car crash have paid tribute to him calling him a loving son, father and brother.

Samuel, who was 37, was driving his Range Rover near his home in Cheshire on Tuesday morning when it collided with a van. The driver of the van was seriously injured.

Samuel made 83 appearances for Bolton Credit: Press Association

His family released a statement via Cheshire Police:

Samuel was born in the city of San Fernando in the south-west of Trinidad but moved to England as a youngster and represented London Schoolboys teams.

Aston Villa held a minutes applause before their match with Middlesborough on Tuesday evening Credit: Press Association

He played youth football for Charlton before joining Villa, where he made nearly 200 appearances between 1999 and 2007. The club held a minute applause in remembrance of Samuel before their play-off semi-final against Middlesborough on Tuesday night.

Samuel was capped by England from Under-18 to Under-21 level and was an unused substitute for a senior international against Sweden in 2004.

Samuel in action for Bolton in September 2009 Credit: Press Association

He attempted to switch international allegiance before Trinidad and Tobago played at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Although his application was rejected by FIFA because he was over 21 at the time, he later represented the country of his birth.

Samuel joined Bolton in 2007, where he made 83 appearances, and also had loan spells at Gillingham and Cardiff before ending his playing career in Iran.