Club to mark death of former player Latif Ayodele

A football club is to pay tribute to former player Latif "Latz" Ayodele who died in a recent car crash in Nigeria that also involved boxer Anthony Joshua.

Joshua, from Watford, survived the crash near Lagos but his friends and team members Ayodele and Sina Ghami were killed.

Ayodele previously played for Aylesbury United, which said it "extends its sincere condolences" to his family and friends.

The non-league club told the BBC it would mark his death by holding a minute's silence at an upcoming match.

Ayodele, whose funeral was held at a London mosque on Sunday, was Joshua's personal trainer.

Just hours before the crash, 36-year-old Joshua posted an Instagram story of them playing table tennis together.

Ayodele played for Aylesbury United between 2009 and 2011.

"As a defender, Mr Ayodele demonstrated strength and pace, becoming one of the team's most reliable and impressive contributors during a challenging season, often excelling in multiple positions on the field," the club said in a statement.

"Beyond his football career, Mr Ayodele played an important role in Anthony Joshua's training set-up, serving as a personal trainer, friend and mentor."

He also played for several non-league teams in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London. His most recent seasons were at Kings Langley and Uxbridge.

The driver of the Lexus SUV that crashed into a stationary truck, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was charged at Sagamu Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Police sources told the BBC the charges included causing death by dangerous driving.

The case has been adjourned until 20 January.

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