The Spain international collapsed on the field after suffering a cardiac arrest during Saturday's Primera Liga game against Getafe.

Puerta was able to walk off but suffered a relapse in the dressing room and required cardiac resuscitation.

He was rushed to the Hospital Virgen del Rocio in Seville but passed away on Tuesday afternoon.

"Today has been one of the saddest days in the history of Sevilla FC," Del Nido told www.fcsevilla.es. "The diamond left-footed player Antonio Puerta has left us, a player that changed our lives now leaves us.

"I hope everyone can understand the difficult times we are experiencing."

The Spanish Football League earlier issued a statement which read: "The Spanish Football League (LFP) sends its condolences to the family of Antonio Puerta, to Sevilla Football Club and to their fans for the sad news of the player's death.

"The LFP has asked all their fans to respect a one-minute silence before each game of the second round of the Primera Liga."

Spanish champions Real Madrid were among the clubs that have expressed their condolences to the club.

"Real Madrid wishes to express its profound sorrow for the death of footballer Antonio Puerta.

"The club wishes to join in the pain of the family Puerta and send their sympathy to Sevilla after the news that has shocked the sporting world."

Sevilla's arch rivals Betis also issued a statement.

Betis owner Manuel Ruiz de Lopera said: "This is a blow to the whole of Seville.

"Our thoughts are with Sevilla Football Club, with the player's family and with the player, who I am sure will be in heaven."

Sevilla, who were set to play a Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens in Greece on Tuesday, have travelled back to Spain with the game having been postponed.

Puerta's body will from Wednesday lie in state at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, where Sevilla fans will be able to pay their respects.

It is not the first time the Andalusian club have experienced such a sad event as, back in 1973, Pedro Berruelo Martin died on the pitch due to a cardiac arrest while defending the Sevilla colours in a Segunda Liga game against Pontevedra.

Spain coach Luis Aragones was deeply saddened by the news of Puerta's death.

Under Aragones, Puerta made his debut with the senior national team on October 7 2006 and was set to have a promising future for club and country.

"At this time I have no choice but to join his family in their pain," said Aragones. "Above all was the human quality of Antonio."

Athletic Bilbao and former Sevilla coach Joaquin Caparros was equally moved.

Caparros had coached Puerta while in charge of Sevilla two years ago.

"He was a great footballer and a wonderful person with a great future ahead of him," said Caparros.

"I was never aware that had a medical condition because I remember him giving his all during training.

"I have a lot of memories of him - of the day I met him, the day he made his debut with the first team and the day he scored."

Puerta, whose girlfriend is pregnant, had been a member of the Sevilla first team for three seasons and spent 14 years in total with the Andalusian club he joined as a boy.