Former Rangers star Nacho Novo announces death of stepson Ross at 26

Former Rangers and Darvel manager Nacho Novo has announced the tragic death of his 26-year-old stepson, Ross, leaving family, former teammates, and football fans across Scotland in profound grief. The 47-year-old former striker shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, stating that he and his family are "absolutely broken" by the loss.

The Story at a Glance

The sudden passing of 26-year-old Ross was confirmed by Nacho Novo via social media on Tuesday afternoon. Novo, a beloved figure in Scottish football who famously made more than 250 appearances for Rangers and currently manages Darvel FC, shared a series of photographs alongside a heartfelt statement asking for privacy during an extraordinarily difficult time. Darvel FC formally confirmed that Ross was Novo's stepson, though neither the club nor the family immediately disclosed a cause of death.

How the Story Developed

The devastating news broke when Novo took to Instagram to express his grief, writing that nothing in his life could have prepared him for such a post. Tributes immediately poured in from across the football community, including formal statements of condolence from Rangers FC and Darvel FC. Former teammates and football figures, including Maurice Edu, Steven Davis, Michael Mols, and Craig Moore, quickly rallied around the family, offering public messages of support and prayer as the news reverberated through Scottish sport.

Key People and Details

Nacho Novo, 47, is a well-known figure in GB football, having originally moved to Scotland from Galicia, Spain, to play for Raith Rovers in 2001 before joining Rangers in 2004 for £450,000. He married Donna Clark in 2015. His late stepson, Ross, was 26 years old at the time of his passing. Darvel FC, where Novo currently serves as team manager, emphasized that the club's thoughts are firmly with the family and urged the public to respect their privacy.

Reaction and Response

The football community responded with an outpouring of grief and solidarity. Rangers FC posted on social media: "The thoughts of everyone at Rangers are with you at this sad time Nacho." Darvel FC released a statement saying, "All at Darvel Football Club are devastated by the tragic news... The Club’s thoughts are with Nacho and his family at this sad time." Former colleagues such as Steven Davis and Maurice Edu expressed their devastation, highlighting the high regard in which Novo is held within the sport.

What to Watch

As the family processes this immense loss, attention remains focused on respecting their privacy. No further details regarding funeral arrangements or the circumstances surrounding the death have been made public by the family or associated clubs.

FAQ

• Who is Nacho Novo?

  Nacho Novo is a former professional footballer who made over 250 appearances for Rangers and currently manages Darvel FC.

• What happened to Nacho Novo's family?

  Novo announced the tragic death of his 26-year-old stepson, Ross, via social media.

• Have clubs responded to the news?

  Yes, both Rangers FC and Darvel FC released statements expressing deep devastation and offering condolences to the family.

• Was a cause of death released?

  No cause of death has been publicly disclosed by the family or clubs, who have requested privacy.