German keeper commits suicide

The world of football is in mourning for Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, who has died after being struck by a train in an apparent suicide. Enke, 32, who played for Hannover 96 and was rumoured to be suffering from depression was hit by a train at a level crossing near Hannover. He is thought to have struggled to cope with the loss of

his daughter Lara, who died aged two in 2006 of a rare heart condition,

Oliver Bierhoff, the German football team's general manager, said: "We are all shocked. We are lost for words." Germany cancelled a planned training session and all interviews. Germany's friendly against Chile on Saturday may be postponed, even though Enke was not in the squad having recently recovered from a virus. He was expected to be Germany's number one goalkeeper for next years World cup in South Africa.

Fans at Hannover's Niedersachsen Stadium overnight laid flowers and lit candles at the gates in memory of their captain, who signed in 2004. More queued to sign an official book of condolence. Hannover 96 removed all links to the regular content on their website showing instead a black page reading "Wir trauern um Robert Enke" ("We are mourning Robert Enke").

The German Football League has announced a minute's silence will be held at grounds ahead of the next round of the top two divisions of the Bundesliga for the weekend of 21-22 November, with all players wearing black armbands.

Enke was born in Jena, East Germany in 1977 and played for Carl Zeiss Jena, Borussia Monchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce, and Tenerife before joinging Hannover 96. He made his debut for Germany against Denmark in 2007 winning 8 caps and was Bundesliga goalkeeper of the season 2008-09