He returned to the Bundesliga, joining Hannover in 2004 and earning his first cap for Germany on March 28, 2007 after impressing year after year for his club.

He went on to make eight appearances for Germany and was regarded as the favourite to be their number one at the World Cup in South Africa next summer, but a mysterious bacterial infection forced him out of their World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in September.

He only recently recovered from the illness and made his return for Hannover in their Bundesliga win over Cologne on October 31.

However, he was omitted from the Germany squad for their upcoming friendly matches against Chile on Saturday and the Ivory Coast next Wednesday.

Germany coach Joachim Low nevertheless insisted that Enke was one of the favourites to be his number one in South Africa, saying that the decision to leave him out of his squad was "not a decision against, but rather a decision for Robert".

His national team colleagues learned the tragic news after training in Bonn
today.

'We are all shocked,' said Germany's general manager Oliver Bierhoff. 'We are lost for words.'
Hannover 96 supporters

Grief: Hannover 96 supporters mourn the death of Enke at the railway station in the northern German village of Eilvese

The president of the German Football Association (DFB) Dr Theo Zwanziger added that he and the rest of the football community in Germany 'are stunned and in mourning.

'All our sympathy goes to the wife of Robert Enke and his family,' he added
on the DFB's website.

Enke's death may force a postponement of Saturday's game against Chile. Fans were flocking to Hannover's Niedersachsen Stadion on Tuesday night where they were laying flowers and lighting candles at the gates in memory of their captain who had dedicated himself to the club since joining in 2004.

A press conference has been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, when more light will be shed on the death of one of Germany's most respected and talented footballers.


Sportsmail Reporter