SAD: Former Ivory Coast defender Steve Gohouri found dead

A body found in the Rhine river on New
Year's Eve was identified on Saturday as that of former Ivory Coast footballer Steve Gohouri.

Dusseldorf police confirmed there were no indications that a third party was involved in Gohouri's death.

The body was found in the city of Krefeld, to the northwest of Dusseldorf.

The 34-year-old Gohouri had been reported missing on Dec. 12.

Gohouri, a defender who was on Ivory Coast's 2010 World Cup squad, scored two goals in 42 games for Borussia Monchengladbach between 2007 and 2009, helping the side to Bundesliga
promotion in 2008.

Gohouri, who was in the youth system at Paris Saint-Germain, joined Wigan from Gladbach in January 2010, going on to make 42 appearances for the Latics during their spell in the Premier
League.

His countryman Didier Drogba expressed his condolences on Instagram, writing "Cote d'Ivoire lost one of his most loyal son."

So sad about this news���������������� lost one of my soldier, Côte d'Ivoire lost one of his most loyal son. My thoughts goes to the family. R.I.P. Bro �� Je suis sans mots devant cette nouvelle ��.
L'équipe nationale de côté d'ivoire est en deuil, j'ai perdu un de mes plus fidèles soldats, mes condoléances à toute la famille, reposes en paix
mon frère.

��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

A photo posted by didierdrogba (@didierdrogba) onJan 2, 2016 at 9:33am PST

"This is terrible news," Gladbach sporting director

Max Eberl said.

"I got to know Steve as a person full of the joys of life and that's how I'll remember him. Our thoughts and sympathies are now with his family."

Gohouri was playing this season for German fourth-tier side TSV Steinbach.

A statement from his club read:

"TSV Steinbach football club mourns its player Steve Gohouri. It is this afternoon certain that Steve Gohouri has died at the age of 34 years. This was confirmed by the Dusseldorf Police to TSV Steinbach.

"All managers, players, coaches and assistants at TSV Steinbach are very concerned about the death of Steve Gohouri. Our thoughts in these difficult hours are with his family."