Germany keeper left suicide note

Wed Nov 11 2009 16:06:35

German police have confirmed that national goalkeeper Robert Enke left behind a note before he was struck by a train at a railway level crossing near Hannover.

The incident happened in Neustadt am Rubenberge and the 32-year-old died at the scene.

Police did not reveal the contents of the note, but Enke's agent indicated he had committed suicide.

Enke leaves behind his wife, Teresa, and an eight-month-old daughter who the couple had adopted in May. They lost their own daughter Lara in 2006 when she died of a rare heart condition at the age of just two.

He earned his first cap for Germany in March 2007 after impressing for his club Hannover, and was regarded as the favourite to be their number one at the World Cup in South Africa next summer.

His national team colleagues learned the tragic news after training in Bonn.

Germany's general manager Oliver Bierhoff said: "We are all shocked. We are lost for words."

Germany cancelled today's training session following Enke's death and have postponed the match which was scheduled for the weekend.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside Hannover's AWD-Arena to sign a book of condolence for Enke, and to leave flowers and scarves and light candles in his memory.

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