Denbigh Town Football Club goalkeeper Igor Jonczyk, described as a popular player of high potential, died on Friday.

A statement on the Denbigh Town FC website read: "Igor came over to Wales from Poland when he was nine years of age with his father Artur, his mother Agnieszka and two elder brothers Fillipe and Szymon and they settled in Ruthin."

He played as a goalkeeper in the Ruthin junior set-up until the age of 16, before he signed for Denbigh Town's development team.

Soon, he became a popular member of the squad before moving up to become the goalkeeper for Denbigh Town Reserves.

Noted for his flamboyant playing style and acrobatic saves, this only increased his popularity with his team-mates and supporters.

The club statement continued: "We are aware he became unwell recently and attended Glan Clwyd hospital on March 3 before being transferred to Manchester.

"It has now become apparent that he had been suffering from an underlying heart condition which was to prove so devastating.

"He passed away on Friday, April 1 surrounded by his loving family at Wythenshaw hospital."

Igor Jonczyk has tragically died at just 18

Ruthin Town Youth FC chairman Wynne Davies said: "During his early years at Ruthin Town Youth FC Igor was a shy, quiet and reserved character, probably influenced by the fact that he was learning to speak English at the time.

"As time went on he gathered a wide group of friends and during his early teens when not training or playing for the club he would regularly be seen practising his goalkeeping skills with his friends on our pitches.

"The tragic events of the last month are unbelievably sad and at this terrible time for them the thoughts of everyone who knew him at Ruthin Town FC are with his parents, his two older brothers and his equally shocked friends too."

Denbigh Town FC chairman Shon Powell said: "We are all really shocked and saddened by the news.

"He was a young 18-year-old with the rest of his life to look forward to.

"He was a good, energetic and lively goalkeeper.

"He had a real spring in his step.

"He was a good goalkeeper with good prospects to move on and play at a better level."

Mr Powell described Igor as a "nice, quite quiet lad" and he added: "He did make spectacular saves!

"He was quite tall and he could leap from side to side.

"He was flamboyant in his keeping!

"Everyone within the club is shocked and our thoughts are with his family."

Denbigh Town reserve team manager Gethin Jones said: "Igor was a player of high potential but above that a great member of the squad.

"He was a quiet and kind lad who gave us everything.

"His sudden loss will be felt both on and off the field.

"My thoughts are with his friends and family."

Denbigh Town secretary Stephen Whitfield said: "I have to say that Igor was an interesting player to watch as he always managed to do something spectacular during a game.

"He had progressed well and had, in fact, trained with the first team earlier this season.

"This news has come out of the blue and the whole club is shocked and upset.

"I cannot imagine how his family and his many close friends must be feeling."

Mr Whitfield added: "He did do the spectacular saves and he was an entertaining goalkeeper."

There will be a minute's silence in memory of Igor before the Ardal North West League derby match at Central Park between Denbigh Town and St Asaph City on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.