Enke made 9 caps for Germany

Football has been rocked by the news that German goalkeeper Robert Enke has committed suicide. The Hannover 96 captain, who had been battling depression for 6 years, was hit by a train at a level crossing near his home on Tuesday.

Enke played for Borussia Monchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce and Tenerife before joining Die Roten in 2004. The 32 year old was named Bundesliga goalkeeper of the season in 2009-09 and had 8 caps to his name.

Some of the most respected names in football have today been paying tribute to Enke -

“I feel endless loss and sorrow. When you receive news such as this, all other problems seem small.” – Franz Beckenbauer

“Robert was a wonderful man, who had to cope with several blows of fate.” – Theo Zwanziger, president of the national federation

“We are all shocked. We are lost for words.” – Oliver Bierhoff, the German football team’s general manager

“I find it hard to believe that he has died. It is a tremendous loss for world football, the loss of a man of rare qualities in our time. It is very sad news.” Nuno Gomes, former team-mate at Portuguese club Benfica,

“It really can’t and should not be true. Robert was such a great person. I don’t know how I should tell my wife, she is good friends with Robert’s wife. I feel for his family.” Kevin Kuranyi, a striker for Schalke 04

“An absolute catastrophe, which I still cannot grasp.” – Martin Kind, President of Hannover 96