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Sportsmail's experts remember Ugo Ehiogu as a gentle giant and someone who always gave something back

Former England and Aston Villa defender Ugo Ehiogu died at the age of 44 after suffering a cardiac arrest on Friday morning.

Tributes poured in within hours of his death and various stories were told of his kindness and progressive approach as a coach.

Here, Sportsmail's experts share their memories of Ehiogu in their own words.

Ugo Ehiogu was a 'gentle giant' who was also a 'great leader' and was always 'fair and honest'
Ugo Ehiogu was a 'gentle giant' who was also a 'great leader' and was always 'fair and honest'

JAMIE REDKNAPP

'Mr Muscle but always honest'

Ugo Ehiogu was a gentle giant. He was the perfect physical specimen — muscles upon muscles — and even when I saw him a year ago at Tottenham's training ground it looked like he could still play.