sport news Emiliano Sala remembered: A love of guitar, crime fiction and Gabriel Batistuta ...

To grasp the strength of affection felt by Nantes for Emiliano Sala, we need only return to the events of early January.

When a leading goalscorer leaves in the mid-season transfer window, it is usually with his hood up and via the back door amid the loud stomping of feet. Yet Sala was different.

His French team-mates had only respect and admiration for his achievements and before his £15million move to Cardiff was finalised, Nantes prepared a special showreel of Sala's goals and best moments to celebrate his transfer. 

He was back in the north west of France saying farewell to his team-mates, before making a fateful return to Cardiff along with pilot David Ibbotson on board the Piper Malibu which would never complete its journey. 

Dorset Police have since confirmed the body found inside the located aircraft on the seabed of the English channel was indeed that of Sala.

Cardiff City chief executive Ken Choo (right) has said the Premier League will not grant the club any extension to the transfer window following the disappearance of Emiliano Sala (left)

Emiliano Sala was about to embark on the biggest step of his career after signing for Cardiff 

Sala was much loved by his former club Nantes, who celebrated his Premier League move

Sala was much loved by his former club Nantes, who celebrated his Premier League move

The Argentine was not known only for his prowess on the field, he was also a keen guitarist

The Argentine was not known only for his prowess on the field, he was also a keen guitarist

Sala was cherished not only for his 12 goals in 16 starts this season but also for his work-rate on the field and character in the dressing room. Adept with the guitar and an avid reader, Sala possessed a cultural hinterland that set him apart. He would often bring a book to the training ground for his down-time.

'Reading is what I love,' Sala said last year. 'I'm into crime and drama fiction. I love to be transported into that world.'

After a childhood in Argentina, where he would study videos of the legendary Gabriel Batistuta, Sala took a huge gamble when he left his homeland aged 14 to join the Bordeaux academy.

Sala was one of Ligue 1's top scorers this season, just five behind top striker Kylian Mbappe (R)

Sala was one of Ligue 1's top scorers this season, just five behind top striker Kylian Mbappe (R)

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