FORMER Saints, Leigh, Wigan, Wakefield and Oldham prop Ricky Bibey has died suddenly in Italy.

He was aged 40.

Reports suggest Mr Bibey was found dead in a hotel room in Florence on Saturday and his death is subject to a police investigation.

An Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson confirmed: “We are in touch with the Italian police following the death of a British man in Florence.”

Bibey was a member of Saints 2004 Challenge Cup winning team at Cardiff - adding to the medal he won with Wigan at Murrayfield in 2002.

 

He played 21 times for Saints in that 2004 season under Ian Millward before moving on.

St Helens Star: Ricky Bibey in action for SaintsRicky Bibey in action for Saints

There have been a number of tributes on social media already this morning.

 

A former Leigh East junior, Bibey joined Saints from Wigan in October 2003 and went on to play with Leigh Centurions, Wakefield and Oldham.