Norwich City have announced a minute's applause will take place on Friday ahead of Brighton's Championship visit to mark the tragic death of Ugo Ehiogu.

Eastern Daily Press: Chris Hughton will pay his respects to Ugo Ehiogu prior to kick off at Carrow Road. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.Chris Hughton will pay his respects to Ugo Ehiogu prior to kick off at Carrow Road. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire. (Image: PA Wire)

The former Aston Villa and England defender died in the early hours of Friday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest at Tottenham's training centre on Thursday.

Both sets of players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect for the Tottenham development coach with players, coaching staff and officials from the two clubs joining supporters in a minute's applause for the 44-year-old.

Seagulls' boss and ex-Norwich manager Chris Hughton paid a personal tribute on Brighton's official site.

'I knew Ugo, firstly as a player during his playing days with Middlesbrough and Aston Villa. I had huge admiration for him as a player, person and coach,' said Hughton. 'I spent time with him professionally, but also socially. He had an infectious enthusiasm and he was someone I always enjoyed spending my time with.

Eastern Daily Press: England boss Gareth Southgate has paid his tribute to former team mate Ugo Ehiogu. Picture: PAEngland boss Gareth Southgate has paid his tribute to former team mate Ugo Ehiogu. Picture: PA (Image: PA Wire)

'I heard the news this morning and was very shocked and saddened. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and many friends.'

Ehiogu's former central defensive partner and England manager Gareth Southgate led the tributes from the world of football.

'I'm stunned and deeply saddened by Ugo's passing and clearly my initial thoughts are with his wife Gemma, his children and his family,' he said, writing on the FA's official site. 'I know that football will be grieving because he was so highly respected by everybody he worked with and losing him at such a young age is difficult to come to terms with.

'Most importantly, he was a gentleman and he is one of those characters that people would find it difficult to have anything bad to say about.

'I probably played more games with Ugo than anybody else in my career and, while in many ways he was a gentle giant away from football, he was a colossus on the pitch. It felt like a true partnership with Ugo because we were prepared to put our bodies on the line for each other.

'We shared highs, lows and won a couple of trophies together with Villa and Boro and it's those memories that I will always cherish when I think of Ugo.

'He was one of the most professional people I played with in terms of how he applied himself to his job and it was great to see him progressing through the coaching pathway with that thirst for learning. I've spoken to several of our former team-mates today and there's just a sense of disbelief that we're having these conversations.

'Ugo was a credit to football, a credit to his family and he will be missed by everybody who was lucky enough to know him.'