Ex-Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Alexander Manninger dies after his car was hit by a train

Alexander Manninger played for Arsenal, Juventus and Liverpool across his club career. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty Images)

(Simon Hofmann via Getty Images)

Former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Alexander Manninger died on Thursday after the car he was driving was hit by a train. He was 48 years old.

Per OE 24, the train collided with Manninger’s car at a railroad crossing in Salzburg, Austria. The report said that Manninger had been pulled from his car by the time first responders arrived on scene, but emergency personnel were unable to resuscitate him. Investigators have preliminarily determined that the car was dragged by the train after impact.

"Alexander Manninger was a great ambassador for Austrian football both on and off the pitch who set a benchmark in his international career and inspired and shaped so many young goalkeepers," Austrian Football Association sporting director Peter Schöttel said in a statement.

"His professionalism, calmness and reliability made him an important part of his teams and the national team. His achievements are worthy of the highest respect and will be remembered. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time."

Manninger began his professional career with Arsenal and played for the Premier League team for four seasons. He appeared in 39 matches with 38 starts in his EPL career before moving to Serie A in Italy.

He played for three teams at Italy’s top level and started 38 games across the 2006-07 season for Siena. Manninger spent the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons at Juventus before moving to Augsburg in the German Bundesliga for four seasons.

Manninger spent the final season of his club career at Liverpool, but did not make an appearance during the 2016-17 campaign.

Arsenal won the EPL title in his first season with the club in 1997-1998. The Gunners currently sit first in the EPL standings and are looking for just their third league title since that win.

Manninger was capped 33 times for Austria made eight starts for his national team during World Cup qualifiers in both 2006 and 2010. He started four games in each of those qualifying periods and the team won two and drew three of those games. He was also a part of the Austrian team at the 2008 Euros.