Liverpool and Everton pay tribute after Leicester City owner confirmed among dead after helicopter crash

Liverpool and Everton have both paid tribute after the owner of Leicester City was confirmed among those killed in Saturday's helicopter crash

It's been confirmed Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was killed on Saturday, along with two of his staff members, the pilot and his girlfriend.

Leicestershire Police said the others who died were Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, who were members of Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's staff, as well as pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

The club described their chairman as a man of kindness, of generosity'' and saidLeicester City was a family under his leadership''.

He led the Foxes to the Premier League title in 2016, defying the 5,000/1 odds they faced at the start of the season.

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who was reported to have witnessed the aftermath of the tragedy, shared a heartfelt Instagram post in which he told of his devastation at Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's death.

"It is difficult to put into words how much you meant to this football club and to the city of Leicester,'' he said. "Never have I ever come across a man like you. So hard working, so passionate, so kind and so generous in the extreme."

"You changed football. Forever! You gave hope to everyone that the impossible was possible. You literally made my dreams come true.''

Teammate Jamie Vardy called Mr Srivaddhanaprabha a "legend''

Liverpool Football Club owners John W Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon said:

“Our thoughts and condolences are extended to the families and loved ones of all those lost in this dreadful accident.

“The admiration we have for Vichai, his family and colleagues is as high as you can imagine, both professionally and personally"

Everton Majority Shareholder Farhad Moshiri said: “We extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone associated with Leicester City and, of course, to those closest to Vichai, as well as to the families of those who also passed away.

"It is a tragedy, a deep loss that will be felt by so many and we are with you in this terrible moment.”

Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright said: “The overwhelming sadness we feel today is deepened by the fact that Vichai was such a warm and generous personality."

"His pride in Leicester City’s great achievements was matched by his humility. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones as well as to the family and loved ones of those others who passed away."