Soccer:Former Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves and Southampton defender Dean Richards has died aged 36 after a long-term battle with a serious illness.

Richards, who won four England under-21 caps, joined Wolves from Bradford City in 1995 and made 145 appearances in four years at Molineux.

"Everyone at Wolves was saddened to hear of the death of Dean Richards, who passed away this morning," the Premier League club said.

"Remembered for his trademark skilful breaks out of defence as well as his ability in the air, Richards will always be fondly remembered by Wolves fans who continued to follow his career closely when he moved on to Southampton and Tottenham," the club added.

Richards joined Southampton in May 1999 and two years later moved on to Tottenham Hotspur in an £8.1 million transfer. He played 81 times for Spurs but was forced to retire in 2005 due to suffering frequent dizzy spells and headaches.

His last role was a youth team coach back at League Two Bradford, the city of his birth.