Former Preston North End defender Pavel Pergl has been found dead at his home in an apparent suicide.

The 40-year-old had a spell with the Lancashire outfit in 2007, making 11 second-tier appearances and scoring one goal for the Lillywhites.

German police discovered the Czech's body at his flat in Magdeburg, Germany, according to The Sun.

Pergl, who joined Preston from Sparta Prague, leaves behind a partner and a one-year-old daughter.

The Prague outfit has paid tribute to him in a statement.

"It is very sad news for Sparta and all football fans to hear that our former player Pavel Pergl has died," it read.

"He joined us as a 10-year-old, and played 68 first-team matches for us. Rest in peace."

Pergl left Preston to join Cypriot club AEK Larnaca and was playing professional football until last year, when he was a member of Swiss outfit FC Chur 97's squad.