Joe Thompson's daughter has given a heartbreaking tribute to her deceased father after he lost his battle with cancer at the age of 36 on Thursday.
Thompson, who came through the Academy of Manchester United and spent a lot of his gaming career at Rochdale, was diagnosed with cancer last year.
He turned out to have phase four lymphoma that had spread to his lungs after recovering twice from the disease before his retirement from football in 2019.
Thompson became an ordinary expert on MUTV after hung his boots and had an ambassador for his work as a motivating speaker and life coach.
He died peacefully at home with his family by his side.
Tribute came in after his death, including many of his former clubs, and on Sunday United shared a moving video with a voice -over from his daughter Lula.
In it she told the story of his life, sharing stories about his success on and beside the field and stated in a tear-Jerk moment Thompson as the 'greatest man'.
“He always wanted to be known as a great man, but I can say that my father was the greatest man,” said Lula. 'The best father for me, my sister Athena and the best husband of my Mama Chantelle. I love you so much, porridge. '
Thompson's wife Chantelle, the mother of their two children Lula and Athena Rae, tributed to her husband in a message that she “thought I would never have to write.”
“Our brave and courageous Joey died in the early hours of Thursday morning, he was at home where he wanted to be in a beautiful peaceful area around his family when he switched,” wrote Chantelle.
'Joe has had so much influence on so many people and we are all grateful forever that he blesses us with his presence and that he is so strong and stays with us as long as he did against all the opportunities.
“He was the most incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father of our beautiful daughters who will now wear his light and legacy and I will continue to fill them with Joe's love every day.
'It has been a long battle, and one that he fought with all his power and he did things in his way! He chose his path and walked every step with courage and pride that grew closer to God every day while he was still there for so many others.
“He sticked to his plans for the future to continue that inheritance, but it is now time for him to rest and watch over us from heaven.
“I know that he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without its contagious energy. Long may his legacy and impact live on! '
United described Thompson as 'a man who embodied the values of our club'.
“We are sad to share that Joe Thompson died,” they said.
“A warm personality that had a deep band with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends in this difficult time.”
Thompson spent seven years in the United Academy before he came to Rochdale in 2006. He made 203 performances in three different spells.
His best moment came when he scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory on the last day of the 2017-18 season, which avoided the club relegation to League Two.
Rochdale wrote on social media that the club was 'destroyed to learn from the death of Dale legend, Joe Thompson', adding that he had died peacefully at home.
'Our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends on this incredibly sad time.
“One of our own. For the first time we knew Joe as a talented football player, but we would grow quickly to worship his loving, infectious personality.
“He stood in front of every fight, both on and outside the field.
'His journey and indomitable spirit have been an inspiration for anyone who has been touched by his story. Above all, Joe was a loving husband of Chantelle and an incredible father of Thailula and Athena Rae.
“Our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends on this incredibly sad time.”