FORMER Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop was touchingly described as “everything” and “a beautiful man” by former colleagues at the Stadium of Light following his death at the age of 32 yesterday.

Tributes to the likeable Hungarian arrived throughout the day following confirmation from his old club, MTK Budapest, he had died early Thursday morning after battling a long illness.

Fulop, a gentle giant of a footballer who stood at 6ft 6in tall, spent three-and-a-half years at Sunderland after Roy Keane persuaded him to head for Wearside from Tottenham initially on loan.

It was those few years he will be best remembered for during six years in England, which also included spells at Ipswich, West Brom, Manchester City, Stoke City, Leicester City, Chesterfield and Coventry City.

After Keane’s departure, Ricky Sbragia was in charge for six months and watched Fulop pull off a vital save from a Gary Cahill header against Bolton in May 2009, which earned the draw to effectively keep them up ahead of Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

An emotional Sbragia, speaking while on duty as Scotland’s Under-21s head coach, fought back tears and was clearly upset when he reflected on his time with a player everyone liked.

"Marton was everything,” said Sbragia. "You talk about being a good friend and doing everything for you and being there, but he was different class.

“I had a lot of time for him. He was great for me as a manager and did everything I asked. He kept us in the Premier League. Craig Gordon was injured at the time so Marton was a big focal point in the team.

"I can remember at Bolton he made a save in the 94th minute from Gary Cahill and it kept us in the Premier League. I spoke to him about a year ago but I have great memories of him. A lovely man. I was really sad when I saw the news. Condolences to the family.”

When Fulop agreed to move to Sunderland from Spurs it was a combination of Keane and Niall Quinn which persuaded him to head to the North-East. Quinn was the club’s chairman and he will never forget the few years he had getting to know him.

“Marton was a most beautiful man who brought nothing but joy and a big, radiant smile into the Sunderland dressing room,” said Quinn. “The news is so tragic. He has a beautiful family as well, and I echo the sentiments of all the players and ex-players, ex-colleagues and people who knew him.

“One of the tweets I saw said he was one of the good guys, and I can tell you that he was one of the very best. His care for others was noticeable. Every day, he was anxious and eager to assist younger players. He was just a beautiful man, and a huge character in our dressing room.”

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Quinn went on to explain how Fulop’s form in the promotion winning season meant it was “touch and go” whether Sunderland broke the British transfer record for a goalkeeper when they paid £9m to Hearts for Craig Gordon in 2007.

He added: “His integrity as a footballer, his work ethic on the training ground and his ability to assist others (was great) – even Craig Gordon. There was no jealousy there. He pushed and helped make Craig a better goalkeeper, and I can say nothing but good things.”

Gordon, now playing for Celtic after his career at Sunderland was brought to an end by injury, said: “Marton was a very humble guy, a genuinely nice man, who I was lucky enough to play alongside.

“Even though we were both competing for the number one shirt, he always supported me when I was playing and we were good friends.

“I had kept in touch with him and followed his career and am deeply, deeply saddened to hear the news. My thoughts are with his family.”

Fulop had treatment to remove a tumour on his arm in 2013 but died early on Thursday morning after his long fight. He made 50 appearances for Sunderland.

Sunderland’s chief executive Margaret Byrne said: “We are devastated to hear of Marton’s passing. He was a genuinely lovely man, liked and respected by everyone at the club during his four years with us.

“It is desperately sad when we lose a member of our Sunderland family but to lose one so young and in such circumstances is simply heart-breaking. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Marton’s family and friends at this terribly sad time.”

Fulop made 24 appearances for the Hungarian national team and as recently as last year he announced he was ready to make a return to competitive football.

Flags at the Stadium of Light and the club’s Academy of Light training base are flying at half-mast.