Spanish football is in mourning after it was confirmed Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque has died at the age of 26. 

The midfielder passed away this evening following a training session in Coverciano, Italy where the squad are on a pre-season camp. The club said that team doctors and Italian paramedics tried to revive Jarque, a product of the Espanyol youth system, without success.

A statement from the club read: "Tragedy struck Espanyol and the family of Dani Jarque this evening. 

"RCD Espanyol, broken with pain, wish to put themselves at the absolute disposition of the family of our captain Dani Jarque, to whom go our warmest thoughts."

Espanyol, who had been due to play Bologna on Sunday, have suspended their pre-season tour of Italy and will fly back to Barcelona. Jarque joined Espanyol at the age of 12, making his debut in 2002, and was handed the captaincy this summer.

The club's city rivals Barcelona offered their condolences with a message from president Joan Laporta. He said: "We are filled with extreme dismay at this tragic event which we deeply regret. Today we are all in mourning.

"I want to send, on behalf of FC Barcelona, our deepest sympathies to RCD Espanyol for the painful loss of their captain Dani Jarque, and to his family."