FORMER Crystal Palace and AC Milan player Patrizio Billio has passed away at the age of 48.
The midfielder arrived at Selhurst Park in the late 1990s during a long career which saw him play for many clubs around Europe.
Billio also played for Scottish clubs Dundee and Aberdeen in the early 2000s.
He retired in 2010 and returned to AC Milan to coach their academy side in Kuwait.
Milan confirmed Billio's sad death on Twitter.
They said: "Yesterday Patrizio Billio left us prematurely, who grew up in our youth sector and has been the coach of our football school in Kuwait since 2011.
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"The entire Rossoneri family clings to the pain of their loved ones. Rest in peace, Patrick."
AC Milan's Kuwait academy wrote on Instagram: "It is with great sorrow and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our head coach Patrizio Billio on Monday 23rd of January, 2023.
"Over the past 10 years, Mr. Billio has done a remarkable job in elevating the training standards at the AC Milan Academy in Kuwait.
"You will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences goes to Mr. Billio’s family."
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Billio grew up in Milan after his birth in 1974 and joined the Rossoneri's youth academy.
He was sent out on loan to lower league Italian clubs like Monza and Verona before eventually leaving the San Siro without making a senior appearance.
Billio headed for Crystal Palace in the 1997-98 season and join up with his more experienced and famous countryman Attilio Lombardo.
But Palace would end that season bottom of the table after losing 11 in 12 games between January and April.
A four-year spell in Scotland would follow as Billio headed to Dundee and then Aberdeen.
He left Dundee in 2002 after being attacked by a fan during a training session.
Billio played for another six clubs in Italy before retiring.
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