Tragic Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel's family say they have an 'impossible void to fill' as they speak out for first time at his funeral

The family of Jesus de Miguel, the footballer killed in a tragic on-field collision this week, say his sudden death has left them with 'an impossible void to fill'.

The funeral of De Miguel, 30, is being held in his hometown today after a post-mortem found he died from 'accidental chest trauma' in a red-card tackle from opposition goalkeeper Jesus Owono in a Spanish second division match on Sunday.

The tragic Tenerife striker's heartbroken family have remained silent until now but this afternoon released their first statement as they gathered to celebrate his life.

It was revealed today that De Miguel's girlfriend had been alone at the hospital as he died and has been hit 'very hard', while his father 'started crying' as soon as he saw the impact of the collision on television at his bar and immediately gathered his family to travel to Tenerife - but did not arrive in time.

Manuel Hernandez, a spokesperson for the family, told reporters: 'Jesus leaves a void impossible to fill, but also an immense memory in all of us who have been lucky enough to share our lives with him.'

De Miguel's death has sparked a huge outpouring of grief - including a number of footballers displaying tributes to him in Champions League matches this week.

The family of Jesus de Miguel today released a statement about his death (Miguel is pictured with his sister, girlfriend, daughter and parents (Source: Instagram/martitamig)

Flowers and messages were left outside the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium in Tenerife

De Miguel died on Tuesday morning after a horrifying clash in a Spanish second division match

'Thank you to everyone who has remembered him, to his team-mates, friends, fans and all the clubs who have wanted to convey their condolences and accompany us in this painful moment,' the family's statement continued.

'Feeling such love for Jesus and witnessing the impact he has had on so many people is something we will always carry with us.'

Confirming receipt of the preliminary autopsy report yesterday and the authorisation of the transfer of the footballer's body, the Canary Islands High Court of Justice said: 'The court investigating the footballer's death, which is Court of Investigation Number Two of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Court of First Instance, received the preliminary autopsy report today.

'The contents of that report remain confidential out of respect for the privacy of the deceased and his family.

'The court has authorized the transport of the young man's remains to the mainland for burial.'

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and their director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno were among those present at the Tanatorio Santa Lastenia funeral home on Thursday.

Yesterday, a post-mortem found De Miguel died from 'accidental chest trauma'. It is described in the preliminary report as a 'cause consistent with the player's death.'

De Miguel's close friend Fernando Roman offered a tribute on social media and in an interview with Vamos a Ver, sharing the heartbreak of the late sportsman's girlfriend Maria, who had been watching the game with their one-year-old daughter Carla.

Roman, who plays for Spanish side Talavera, explained that he had not been watching the match on Monday, but was alerted to it by his girlfriend after De Miguel had been injured by the tackle.

Roman had then been in contact with De Miguel's girlfriend Maria, who had been at the stadium with their one-year-old daughter Carla. Roman revealed she had been alone at the hospital and has been hit 'very hard' by the tragedy.

She was eventually joined by the De Miguel's parents, who travelled to Tenerife after being informed their son was in intensive care.

A neighbour of De Miguel's parents in Navahermosa told Y ahora Sonsoles that his father 'started crying' as soon as he saw the impact of the collision on television at his bar and immediately gathered his family to travel to Tenerife.

Roman told Vamos a Ver: 'Yesterday, my girlfriend and I were talking all afternoon and all night with María, his girlfriend, who was alone in the hospital.

'I've spoken with his girlfriend, and you can imagine how she is. Now we have to be with the family.

'We have to send our love to his family, to María, to his daughter Carla, who is a year and a few months old.

'It was unbelievable because we were talking about traveling to Disney with the girls, with my daughter too, and look what's happened.'

The striker was struck in the chest by Owono's flying knee as he attempted to clear the ball

De Miguel was rushed off the field on a stretcher following the collision with Owono

Police investigating De Miguel's death are probing the emergency medical response as well as the possibility rival goalie Jesus Owono's horror tackle could be involuntary manslaughter.

It emerged on Tuesday that homicide squad officers based in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz had launched a probe as court officials explained any death 'not resulting from natural causes' automatically triggers a judicial investigation.

Legal experts have said they don't expect the ongoing investigation to lead to criminal charges against Andorra FC goalkeeper Owono because the clash occurred during open play, although he is expected to be hit with a lengthy ban.

The goalkeeper shared a statement on Wednesday, revealing he is in 'enormous pain' over the death of De Miguel.

Owono said: 'These are being the most difficult days of my life. I am struggling to find the words and find it very difficult to assimilate anything that has happened.

'I feel an enormous pain for the loss of Jesús. I think of him, his family, and everyone who loved him. I know there will be many issues to address; I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect.

'But right now, honestly, I cannot think of anything else except Jesús and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesús.'

Thirty-year-old father-of-one De Miguel died on Tuesday morning at Nuestra Senora Candelaria University Hospital after his second-division club revealed his neurological condition had worsened.

Medical personnel involved in the footballer's care are expected to be questioned and detectives will sift through medical reports as part of the probe.

Equatorial Guinea international Owono, who has lived in Spain since he was eight, was red-carded for kneeing Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel in the chest near the halfway line late into stoppage time. The match was suspended when the two sides were drawing 2-2.