Former EFL star Tom Youngs dies aged just 45 from MS as tributes paid

Former striker Tom Youngs has died aged 45 after a battle with MS, the club have confirmed. Youngs passed away on Sunday at a hospice in Bury St Edmunds.

The ex-Us star was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014. Youngs is survived by his wife, Chelle, and two daughters.

Having joined the club's academy at the age of 10, Youngs enjoyed six years in Cambridge's first-team from 1997 to 2003. He scored 48 goals in 180 appearances.

Cambridge issued a statement on Monday to announce the tragic news. "The news of the death on Sunday of former Cambridge United forward Tom Youngs, at the tragically early age of 45, came as a shock to all connected with the club," it began.

"Tom, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014, will be remembered as a gifted player who, with probing, darting runs, intelligent positioning and poise in front of goal, graced the Abbey Stadium between 1997 and 2003.

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"He signed YTS terms in 1996 while staying on at school to study for A levels, but showed such promise that a year later, at the age of 17, he bypassed the rest of his YTS stint and signed a two-year professional contract. Rest in peace, Tom."

, who Youngs joined for £50,000 in 2003 and spent two years playing for, also paid tribute. Remembering him on their website, the Cobblers wrote: "Tom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a life-changing event that he faced with the same resilience and honesty that marked his entire career.

"He later wrote a moving and insightful book reflecting on both his footballing days and his experience with the disease, offering comfort and inspiration to many."

After leaving Northampton, Youngs went on to play for and while studying sports journalism at the University of Staffordshire. He was working as an accountant for a pub chain in Bury St Edmunds when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the summer of 2014, three years after retiring following a spell in non-league.

Former Bury striker Jon Newby posted a tribute on X, formerly , which read: "Very sad to read this. Played with Tom at Bury & he was a nice, very likeable fella. Even when he was at Bury, I remember him speaking very fondly about his time at Cambridge and how much he loved it there."

A Cambridge fan wrote: "Absolutely devastated, spoke to Tom at the Blackpool game earlier in the season reminiscing the good ol days, you will always be in our hearts."

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