Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock has paid tribute to Emiliano Sala.

With the news that his body was recovered near the site of his plane crashing in the English Channel, Warnock wanted to speak about the man who was about to become the club's record signing.

Speaking about the tragic situation, Warnock said in his news conference: "He was a Neil Warnock type of player.

"I always thought he was a type of player that would score 10 or 15 for me at the top level every year. But not just that - he would work hard as a team player.

"He just fit the criteria for what I look for in a player - somebody who can do something special, but at the same time is a very good lad.

"He was at the prime, I felt, and he knew he had things to prove. He'd been in a comfort zone in France. He'd improved every year.

"I think he was ready, if a little bit fearful of the challenge ahead. But he knew he had to make that step. I thought he could score goals in the Premier League, and he did too."