Fernando Ricksen Passed Away

DBasia.news –  Former Rangers and Dutch defender Fernando Ricksen died at the age of 43. The Ibrox Hero and the treble winner lost a six-year battle with motor neurone disease.

Ricksen died Wednesday (18/9) morning at Glasgow hospital. The disease made him difficult to talk and he could not eat alone.

Ricksen won two league titles during a six-year spell decorated in Scotland. A statement from the official Rangers website reads:

“Rangers is very sad to announce that former player Fernando Ricksen died this morning after his battle with motor neurone disease.”

“Fernando spent six trophy-laden seasons at Ibrox after initially joining several other Dutch players under manager Dick Advocaat in the summer of 2000.”

Ricksen has never shied away from public appearances, though the disease makes it difficult to talk and needs help to dress and feed himself.

Motor neurone disease is a rare condition that mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s, but can strike adults of all ages.