Former Wigan, St Helens and Wakefield Trinity prop Ricky Bibey has died suddenly at the age of just 40.
Tributes have poured in for the popular forward who also had three spells with hometown Leigh Centurions and spent one season with Oldham. Bibey won the Challenge Cup with Wigan in 2002 and again with rivals Saints two years later.
Bibey was tragically found dead in an Italian hotel room yesterday. Police were called to the first floor of the Hotel Continentale in Florence at around 8am local time. A woman was also rushed to hospital with suspected serious injuries.
Wakefield posted a tribute to the Rugby League star on Twitter saying: “Trinity are saddened to hear of the passing of former prop-forward Ricky Bibey, aged 40. Ricky played for Trinity between 2007 and 2009, making 60 appearances.
“We send our condolences to Ricky's family and friends at this tough time.”
Ex-St Helens, Bradford and Great Britain star Leon Pryce also paid his own tribute on social media. He said: “Sincere condolences to Ricky’s family.
“We played against each other since the age of about 14. Yorkshire vs Lancashire & together for England schools boys U16’s. A great lad. Absolutely devastating news.”
Bibey’s former amateur club Leigh East wrote: “All at the club are saddened to hear about the death of our former junior Ricky Bibey who passed away on holiday.
“Ricky played professionally for a number of clubs including Leigh, Wigan, St Helens and Wakefield. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
As well as those Challenge Cup successes, Bibey won the Northern Rail Cup with Leigh in 2006 before retiring after his third spell with the club in 2012.
