Cardiff owner pays tribute to new £15m striker Sala after he disappears on plane

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan paid tribute to new signing Emiliano Sala as the Premier League club continue to come to terms with his disappearance in the English channel.

The club's new £15million signing was saying goodbye to his Nantes team-mates over the weekend before taking a private plane back to Wales on Monday evening.

Sala, travelling on a single engine Piper PA-46 Malibu plane, went off radar, north of Alderney at Les Casquets at 8.23pm on Monday, just an hour after taking off from Nantes Atlantique airport.

Speaking for the first time since the plane's disappearance, Tan described a 'good-natured and humble young man' that was excited about a new challenge in the Premier League.

In a statement on the club's website, Tan wrote: 'Monday evening's news shook everyone at Cardiff City FC to the core.

'We were looking forward to providing Emiliano with the next step in his life and career.

'Those who met Emiliano described a good-natured and humble young man who was eager to impress in the Premier League.

'The response from the football community has been truly touching and we place on record our sincere thanks to those who have sent messages of support.

'We also thank everyone involved with the search and rescue operation, and continue to pray for Emiliano, David Ibbotson and their families.'