please log in to view this image Former Liverpool defender Miki Roque has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 23. The centre-back joined the Reds in summer 2005 from the now defunct Spanish club Lleida and featured prominently in a triumphant run to the FA Youth Cup final the following year. Roque made just one senior appearance for the club as a substitute during a Champions League group game against Galatasaray before loan spells with Oldham Athletic, Xerex and Cartagena. He was released by Liverpool in 2009, when he joined Real Betis and engineered a breakthrough into the La Liga outfit's starting line-up a season later. However his career revival suffered a devastating blow as he was diagnosed with pelvic cancer in March 2011. Roque's passing comes barely two years after Austrian striker Besian Idrizaj, another player signed by Liverpool in the summer of 2005, died after suffering a heart attack in his sleep.
****ing sad news. Thats wo now of the reserve side from around 04/05 that have died. Terrible stuff, RIP.
Some of the biggest names in world football have paid tribute to Miki Roque after the former Liverpool defender tragically lost his battle with cancer on Sunday. Writing on his official Facebook page, Pepe Reina said: "A big hug for family and friends of Miki Roque. I was with him in Liverpool FC. Rest in peace." Meanwhile, using their official Twitter pages, the likes of Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata and Victor Valdes wrote messages in Spanish to join the many thousands of others using the social networking site to pay their respects. Iniesta Tweeted: "I wish to send a big hug and encouragement to the family of Miki Roque. You will be missed." Pique added: "A big hug to the family of Miki Roque. I knew him from when he played at Liverpool and I at United. Rest in peace, my friend." A whole host of Roque's former Anfield colleagues, including Rafael Benitez, Luis Garcia and Javier Mascherano, also logged onto Twitter to offer their messages of condolence. Here are just a few... Godwin Antwi@Antwi_4 I LOST ALL WORDS COS I CANT BELIEVE THIS.. MAY U REST IN PEACE BRO. I GONNA MISS U N U WILL ALL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART. RIP MY BRO MIKI ROQUE 24 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Lee Peltier@Pelts_86 RIP Miki Roque had the pleasure to play with this guy, what a top guy, so young thought with his family 24 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Astrit Ajdarevic@AstritAjdarevic R.I.P Miki Roque . A wonderful man and footballer has left us. But only With beautiful memories of him. God only takes good people . 24 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Ben Parsonage@BenParsonage1 A game of football and that all it is when a loss of a life for a 23 year old lad looses his life ! #muchmoretolife # RIPmikiroque 24 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Rafa Benitez Web@rafabenitezweb I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family of my former player Miki Roque, it is a tragedy to lose such a good boy so young. 24 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Javier Mascherano ✔ @Mascherano My most heartfelt condolences to the family of Miki Roque. I had the chance to spend time with him in Liverpool. Rest in peace Miki. 25 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite George Sephton@VoiceOfAnfield The news about poor Miki Roque has brought everything in to perspective tonight. Awful news . RIP Miki 24 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Chris Morgan@ChrisMorgan10 So sorry to hear about the death of Miki Roque..one of the 1st players I treated as reserve team Physio at Liverpool in 2006..so sad..#RIP 24 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Luis Garcia@LuchoGarcia14 @LuchoGarcia14: Cant believe about Miki Roque, teammate at Melwood. Great player, awesome kid, my condolence to the family and friends. RIP 24 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Nikola Sarić@NSaric91 Horrible news. R.I.P to my friend Miki Roque. I can't believe it. #RIPMikiRoque 24 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Deale Chamberlain@DChamberlaiin ... R.i.p Miki Roque ... #devastatingnews 25 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Daniel Pacheco ✔ @dani37pacheco So sad new to hear about miki. Teammate at LFC for few months. Thoughts and prays for his family. YNWA. What a great boy. RIP. 24 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite Neil Mellor@NeilMellor33 Very sad to see Miki Roque has passed away at only 23. Trained and played with him when he first arrived to LFC. #YNWA 25 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite robbie fowler ✔ @Robbie9Fowler Just heard the terrible news regarding former Liverpool team mate, Miki Roque...... Rest in peace pal
