SAINTS legends have paid tribute to Ugo Ehiogu, who has died aged 44.

Ehiogu collapsed at Tottenham’s training centre on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Southampton’s 1976 FA Cup winning boss Lawrie McMenemy handed Ehiogu 15 caps for the England under-21s during his stint with the national side in the early 1990s.

He said: “Like everyone in football I was totally shocked to hear the news about Ugo Ehiogu.

“Whilst everyone one wants to beat the other one on match days, when it comes to things like this you realise football is a massive family.

“I knew Ugo very well. He actually played 15 under-21 games for England when I was in charge.

“He was a huge presence on the field. Off the field a gentle, likeable man, who was so popular in and around the dressing room and training pitch.

“He always had a smile and I can understand the loss that will be felt by the under-23 team at Tottenham as I am sure he has played his part by producing some of the players who are now doing so well in the first team.”

Former Saints striker, Mark Hughes, now boss at Stoke, added: “He was a big strong guy, a big athlete, and you knew when you went up against him it was always going to be a difficult game.”

Ex-England manager Steve McClaren won the 2004 League Cup at Middlesbrough with Ehiogu, who also played for Aston Villa, West Brom, Rangers, Sheffield United and Leeds.

McClaren said: “I’m absolutely devastated to hear the sad news about Ugo. What a sad loss he will be to football and, of course, to his family.

“I only saw him a couple of months ago on a coaching course at St George’s Park, looking fit and healthy as always.

“I remember Ugo as a gentle giant of a man off the field, but a real warrior on it. He was a leader and he was well on the way to becoming a very good coach.”

Boro chairman Steve Gibson spoke of “a great man”, saying: “I’m deeply shocked. Ugo was one of our heroes in Cardiff when the club won its only ever major trophy.

“Ugo and Gareth Southgate were the rock on which Steve McClaren brought the club its best period in its history.”

Ehiogu’s former Villa team-mates Paul Merson and Lee Hendrie both added their tributes.

A clearly emotional Merson said: “He was a top player, a top bloke and a good friend as well. He was always winding me up.”