Derby keeper Josh Vickers pays heartfelt tribute to wife

Derby goalkeeper Josh Vickers has paid an emotional tribute to his wife who has died of cancer less than four months after they were married.

The 27-year-old former Lincoln and Rotherham keeper confirmed on social media that Laura passed away on Tuesday.

"Laura is the strongest, bravest and most loving person I have ever met," he said.

"We have cried, laughed and danced our way through some tough times."

Vickers' Derby team-mates showed their support by holding up his shirt at their game on Saturday.

Alongside a picture of the couple on their wedding day, Vickers, who started his career at Arsenal, wrote: "I have written and unwritten this so many times and still can't find the right words to say and don't know if I ever will.

"On Tuesday evening my wife lost her long battle against cancer…

"Laura is the strongest, bravest and most loving person I have ever met. Even though everything she was going through, she continued to smile, never letting anything get in the way of having a good time and making a lifetime of memories."

Derby County and and his former clubs also posted messages of condolence.

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