A Welsh rugby league player who played for Preston’s university has died.

Gabriel Holt, 21, has died suddenly – Sky News reports.

Holt, who represented the Wales Rugby League students squad had also played for Wigan St Patricks and the University of Central Lancashire.

Dean of the University of Central Lancashire’s School of Health, Social Work and Sport , Bryan Jones, told Blog Preston: “Gabriel will be missed by many of our university community. He was a respectful and confident young man who was loved by his peers and the staff that taught him. He had a huge impact on the Rugby League team at the University of Central Lancashire and had just broken into international student representation.

“He did lots of work for various charities during his time at the University of Central Lancashire with his closest friends. He will be missed by many but never forgotten. We will honour him in some way here at the University so his legacy of positivity and teamwork will endure.”

Read more: UCLan to reduce workforce with redundancies as it faces unprecedented financial challenges

He had won three caps for Wales students, qualifying for Wales through family heritage after being born and raised in Atherton near Wigan.

A fundraiser set up in memory of Gabriel, by his friend Dan Harris, has raised more than £5,000 via GoFundMe.

Preston City Council leader councillor Matthew Brown also paid tribute and sent his condolences to the family.

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