David Cluett, the former Malta goalkeeper, has died at the age of 39.

Widely acclaimed as one of finest goalkeepers ever to grace Maltese football, Cluett died in a hospital in England yesterday afternoon after losing his battle against a serious illness.

Born on August 2, 1965, Cluett, a Melita FC product, spent the best years of his career with Floriana FC, forming part of the team that famously knocked Ekranas out of the European Cup in 1993-94. Also during that season, Cluett went through 736 minutes without conceding a goal, a national record.

After making his international debut for Malta, then under the charge of Bulgarian coach Gencho Dobrev, in an away game against Portugal (2-2) on March 29, 1987, Cluett went on to play 69 times for the national team.

In the latter years of his career, Cluett had short spells with Birkirkara and Gozo. Last season, Cluett worked as goalkeepers' coach with Premier League club Msida St Joseph.

Last night, a spokesman for Sliema Wanderers expressed the club's condolences to the family of Mr Cluett.

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