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Mirror
Papa Bouba Diop, a former Premier League star, passed away at the age of 42.
According to various reports, Bouba Diop suffered from a long-term illness, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
His former club RC Lens paid tribute on Twitter, writing: “It is with great sadness that Racing Club de Lens has just learned of the disappearance of its former player Papa Bouba Diop, at the age of 42.
“We offer our condolences to his loved ones.”
Diop became a national hero when he scored the goal that saw Senegal beat France 1-0 in their first World Cup match in 2002.
The midfielder first came to English football when he joined Fulham from Lens in 2004, and became known as “The Closet” at Craven Cottage.
He joined Portsmouth in 2007 and after a season with AEK Athens he returned to the top flight by joining West Ham in 2011.
After a season with the Hammers, he joined Birmingham City before being released in January 2013.
Diop won 63 games for Senegal, scoring 11 goals, including his historic goal in the World Cup.
The Mayor of Mermoz Sacré-Cœur, Barthélémy Dias, paid tribute to Bouba Diop on Sunday, writing on social media: “Thank you GAINDÉ for making us dream so much.
“Your name will be forever engraved in the Soccer Hall of Fame alongside great legends. May God welcome you in his Paradise ”.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker paid tribute by stating on social media: “How terribly sad. Taken so young. RIP Papa Bouba Diop “.
The former Fulham club stated: “We are devastated by the news tonight that Papa Bouba Diop has passed away, aged 42. Rest well, closet ”.
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