David Beckham pays tribute to "amazing" Gary Speed

Former England captain David Beckham has offered his condolences to the family of Gary Speed during this "sad time", as the world of football comes to terms with the Wales manager's death.

The 42-year-old ex-Newcastle United midfielder was found dead in an apparent suicide at his home in Cheshire yesterday morning.

"I think [Speed] was an amazing, talented player," Sky Sports News quote Beckham as saying. "[He was] a player that had such a glittering career and just began a great career in management as well.

"On behalf of myself, the players at LA Galaxy, the manager and everybody, in fact, at the Galaxy would like to send our love and thoughts to his wife, his children and his family. It's a sad time to lose a man like this."

The inquest into the death of the Leeds United legend will open tomorrow.