Former Chelsea and Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has been left devastated following the death of his father, aged 61, shortly after collapsing while playing tennis.

Radamel Garcia King was rushed to hospital but passed away in the Mar Caribe Clinic in his home city of Santa Marta in Magdalena, Colombia.

The cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest.

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Garcia himself had a playing career, featuring as a defender for Colombian sides Junior de Barranquilla, Independiente Santa Fe, Union Magdalena, Deportes Tolima, Atletico Bucaramanga and Independiente Medellin.

And he represented his country at the 1980 Moscow Olympics as well as featuring for Venezuelan outfit Deportivo Tachira.

Falcao's father has died at the age of 61 (
Image:
Golders/@radamelenrique.garciaki)
He collapsed while playing tennis (
Image:
Golders/@radamelenrique.garciaki)

The Colombian Football Federation passed on their wishes to the family, sending a message of "solidarity and strength" to Monaco forward Falcao.

Former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla was also among those to send his thoughts, posting on social media: "I very much regret the death of your father and I will be with you in your pain from a distance.

Falcao has been left devastated (
Image:
Golders/@radamelenrique.garciaki)

"Sending you a hug my brother and lots of strength.”

Falcao had loan spells at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge between 2014 and 2016.

He has scored 32 times in 81 appearances for Colombia.