Two young Maribor players have died in a road crash, the Slovenian club has confirmed.
Zoran Baljak, 21, and 20-year-old Damjan Marjanovic - part of Maribor's B team - were both involved in the fatal accident, just days before the PrvaLiga outfit are due to face Aberdeen in a Europa League qualifier.
A club statement read: "With immense pain we received the tragic news that has shattered us deeply. A cruel fate has intervened in its severest form and taken away two young members of our Violet family."
Aberdeen chief executive Duncan Fraser added: "I spoke with my counterpart Bojan Bon this afternoon and have passed on our condolences from all of the Aberdeen family.
"This puts everything into perspective. The clubs have developed an excellent relationship in the build-up to the games and we will co-operate fully with any wishes that NK Maribor may have to mark this tragedy."
The two sides are tied at 1-1 ahead of the second leg following last week's meeting at Pittodrie.
Daniel Lewis
