Former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Márton Fülöp dies, aged 32

Ipswich Town supporters across Suffolk and Norfolk are coming to terms with the news that their club’s former goalkeeper Márton Fülöp has lost his battle to cancer, aged 32.

His former club MTK Budapest made the annoucement earlier today, which was relayed to Blues fans via Ipswich Town’s social media account on Twitter at just before midday.

The Suffolk-based club releaed a statement to say that the former Hungarian international who played for Town between 2010 and 2011 under manager Roy Keane has passed away in his homeland.

A statement on MTK’s official website read: “We are deeply sorrowful and grieved to announce that after a long illness, Marton Fulop has died.”

Budapest-born Fulop joined Spurs from his first club, MTK, at the age of 21 in the summer of 2004 but did not make a first team appearance for them.

Loan spells at Chesterfield, Coventry and Sunderland followed before he made the move to Wearside permanently in January 2007.

He stayed with the Black Cats until 2010, making more than 40 appearances - although he also had loan stints at Leicester and Stoke during that time.

Manchester City signed Fulop on an emergency loan in 2010 because of injuries to regular number one Shay Given and back-up keepers Stuart Taylor and David Gonzalez, while current England number one Joe Hart was on loan at Birmingham.

The Hungarian made just one appearance for City before signing a two-year deal with Ipswich in 2010. The Suffolk side were managed by Roy Keane, who signed him at Sunderland.

After more than 30 appearances for Ipswich, just one followed in a one-year spell at West Brom, before he joined Greek side Asteras Tripoli in 2012.

The statement on Ipswich’s website read: “The club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Town ‘keeper, Marton Fulop, following his battle with cancer.

“The Hungarian, who made over 35 appearances for the Blues between 2010 and 2011, was aged just 32.

“Marton was a well liked character around the club and also turned out for Sunderland, Manchester City, Leicester and West Brom amongst others in English football.

“The club would like to pass on their condolences and our thoughts are with Marton’s friends and family at this difficult time.”

Hungarian international Fulop played in England between 2004 and 2010. He is best remembered for his time with Sunderland but he was also on the books of Tottenham, Ipswich and West Brom and also had loan spells with Manchester City, Stoke, Leicester, Chesterfield and Coventry.

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