Former Sale Sharks Selorm Kaudey Dies in Suspected Suicide

Former rugby player Selorm Kaudey has died at the age of 24 and is suspecting of committing suicide after his professional career was cut short through injury.

The ex-Sale Sharks wing had to retire on advice from doctors after a string of ankle injuries last year.

The player had also completed his degree in human biology and infectious diseases with a first and had cemented a career outside of the sport.

Sale said in a statement today that the club was "shocked and deeply saddened" to learn of his death.

Kaudey had represented England at under-19 and under-20 level despite being Ukraine-born yet he struggled to get into the Sale first team.

Mick Hogan, Sale's chief executive said: ""Everyone at Sale Sharks passes their deepest sympathies to Selorm's family and friends at this very difficult and upsetting time.

"Selorm was a very popular young man and a wonderfully talented rugby player.

"We are devastated to learn about his tragic death and the club is offering our full support to his family, friends and former team mates during this deeply traumatic period."

The chief executive of the Rugby Player's Association, Damian Hopley also spoke out about the tragic loss of life: "I know from my own experience first-hand how difficult it is readjust to life if injury ends a players' career.

The physical trauma of injury is completely overshadowed by the psychological trauma if you have to stop playing and give up your sport prematurely. We don't know if that was the situation with Selorm or not, but we are all shocked to the core about this tragic news.

"He had made a great transition out of rugby and in so many ways he was a model professional. It is so important that young men look for advice and our remit is to try to provide as much support for the players as we can."

Kaudey was born in Odessa, Ukraine and joined Sale from Lancaster Royal Grammar School in 2005; he made his debut later that year.

Stephen Brown, the acting head of the Rugby Football Union also paid tribute: "Selorm was a popular young man who won the respect of his peers and impressed everyone he came into contact with while representing England. He will be greatly missed by the rugby community and our thoughts are with his family and friends at such a sad time."