Rangers have led the tributes to the club's former player Daniel Prodan after he died suddenly, aged 44.

According to reports in his native Romania, the retired defender suffered a fatal heart attack.

In a statement, the Ibrox outfit said: "Rangers Football Club is shocked and saddened to hear former player Daniel Prodan has died, aged 44.

"The Board of Directors, management, players and staff at the club send our sincere condolences to Daniel's wife, family and friends at this very difficult time."

Jonatan Johansson, a former Rangers team-mate, posted on Twitter: "So sad and shocked that Daniel Prodan has passed away. Great team mate, such a positive and fun loving person."

Prodan signed for Rangers in 1998 from Atletico Madrid but injury meant he never made a competitive appearance for the club.

It was later revealed that Gers had rushed through his transfer without completing a medical.

He spent three years trying to regain his fitness but was eventually released in 2001.

The centre-back is best remembered from his spell with Steaua Bucharest, whom he helped win five straight Romanian titles.

He was capped 54 times by his country and appeared at both the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96. After retiring, he took up a sporting director role with the Romanian Football Federation.