THE football world has paid tribute to former Newcastle United footballer Gary Speed, who died yesterday morning.

The Wales midfielder and manager was found hanged at his home in Cheshire. Aged 42, he leaves a wife and two children.

Speed spent Saturday watching his old club draw 1-1 with Manchester United.

Peruvian Nolberto Solano joined the Magpies as a 23-year-old in 1998, and paid tribute to the influence the “second captain” had on him.

“He was a special guy, I was very close to him,” he told The Journal last night. “He was a pretty strong character in the dressing room, especially when you had a bad game – he would give you a lift.

“He was a second captain after Alan Shearer. He was a great professional, giving everything in training day by day. He was an excellent leader and an excellent team-mate. It’s a sad day for football and especially for people who knew him.”

Speed made 285 appearances for Newcastle, scoring 40 goals. He also played for Leeds United, Everton, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United, where he later became manager. Having made his debut before its creation, Speed was the first footballer to make 500 Premier League appearances.

Although his final game was in 2009, he was an unused substitute for the Blades at Hartlepool United in the League Cup, weeks before his 41st birthday, and remains an inspiration to Solano, fast approaching 37 and now a Hartlepool player. “I remember when he was 34, 35, he was always training normally like a young lad,” he recalled. “He always looked after himself.”

Wales’ most capped outfield player with 85 appearances, Speed was appointed manager in December 2010 after just four months’ experience at Bramall Lane. He was just starting to turn around their fortunes, leading Wales to five wins from their last seven matches.

Former central defender Steve Howey, a team-mate throughout Speed’s six years at St James’ Park, summed up the shock.

“He’s a man that will be hugely missed,” he said. “I can’t believe he’s gone but I will never forget him.