Former Cardiff City forward Peter Whittingham has died at the age of 35 , the Championship club announced on Thursday.

Whittingham fell down a flight of stairs on March 7 and had been on life support since the incident.

"It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35," a Cardiff statement read. "We are heartbroken.

"The news of Peter's sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. They are at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time.

"First and foremost, Peter was a family man -- and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. Then, as a professional footballer -- as a Bluebird -- he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. Nobody did it better.

"The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us."

Whittingham, who was born in Wales but represented England at under-21 level, started his career with Aston Villa, where he was loaned to Burnley and Derby before joining Cardiff in 2007.

He spent 10 seasons in the Welsh capital, where he reached the FA Cup final in 2008 and League Cup final in 2012. He also helped Cardiff earn promotion to the Premier League in 2013.

Whittingham spent a season with Blackburn, before retiring in 2018.