FORMER Preston defender Pavel Pergl has been found dead at home in an apparent suicide.
The 40-year-old Czech played for Preston in 2007, making 11 second-tier appearances and scoring one goal.
German police discovered Pergl's body at his flat in Magdeburg, Germany, on Tuesday.
The former centre-back leaves behind a partner and one-year-old daughter.
Pergl joined Preston from Sparta Prague. He left the Lilywhites for Cypriot club AEK Larnaca 11 years ago.
The Prague-born ace also played for Dynamo Dresden and finished his career with clubs in Israel and Switzerland.
Sparta said in a statement: "It is very sad news for Sparta and all football fans to hear that our former player Pavel Pergl has died.
"He joined us as a ten-year-old, and played 68 first-team matches for us. Rest in peace."
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Jiri Kotrba, Pergl's former coach at Sparta, said: "Pavel was an absolute warrior. He gave everything, and risked his health.
"He could take the knocks, but he always solved our problems on the pitch and never injured anyone."
Pergl won two Czech league titles with Sparta.
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