Clubs: US Police, FUS Rabat, Aberdeen,

  Al-Nasr and FAR Rabat

Caps with Morocco: 17

Goals with Morocco: 3 goals

Goals with Aberdeen: 13

Name: Hicham Zerouali

Nickname: Zero

Date of birth: 17-1-1977

Deceased: 5 Dec 2004

Shirt numbers: 11, 9 and 0

(6 Dec 2004) Former Aberdeen FC striker Hicham Zerouali was killed in a car accident in his native Morocco yesterday, leaving behind a young daughter.

The Pittodrie favourite died early yesterday after his car slid off the road and hit a tree near the Temara Zoo in the outskirts of Rabat.

Leone McKay, the Aberdeen mother of his two-year-old daughter Anisa, was last night said to be devastated by the news.

Zerouali's sister-in-law - a British woman married to the footballer's brother - told the Press and Journal: "The entire family is heartbroken."

Tributes poured in last night for the popular Moroccan international, who became an instant hit with the Dons fans after being signed by then manager Ebbe Skovdahl in December 1999 for £450,000.

Remembered for his trademark somersault goal celebrations and for wearing the unusual squad number zero on the back of his shirt - a tribute to his nickname Zero - he was so popular that many fans sported fezzes in homage to their hero's homeland during matches.

Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson last night paid tribute to his former teammate, saying: "This is terrible news. Hicham was a lovely guy who was idolised by the fans during his time here.

"He was at the club earlier this season to watch us and was in good spirits.

"Our thoughts are with Leone and the family at this tragic time."

Aberdeen FC said in a statement last night: "Hicham was a prodigious talent who was loved and admired by everyone he came into contact with at Aberdeen."

Alexandra Stalker, of the AFC Supporters Trust, said she was saddened by news of the accident.

She described Zerouali as a "charismatic player" who was loved by the fans, especially children, who thrived on his celebratory somersaults.

She said: "Everyone just adored him because he was such a charismatic player on the field.

"I am very sad to hear the news because he was such a talented footballer and still so young.

"He was a favourite with many Aberdeen fans at the time but children seemed to especially love him.

"It is shocking news to hear. He brought a lot of pleasure to the fans the way he played football."

Zerouali made his Pittodrie debut on December 8, 1999, 61 minutes into an SPL match against Hearts that was tied at 1-1. Within half an hour, he had set up two goals and was later awarded the sponsors' man of the match award after the Dons won 3-1.

He scored 13 goals for the club before finally parting company with the Dons in the summer of 2002 when he joined United Arab Emirates side, Al Nassr, after being released by then manager, Steve Paterson.

But his links with the city did not end with his departure from the football club and he would often return to see his former girlfriend, Leone, and daughter, Anisa, sometimes taking them with him to cheer on his old team at Pittodrie.

Anisa was born in Aberdeen Maternity Hospital in January 2002.

During his footballing career, Zerouali played with the junior, Olympic and senior Moroccan teams - scoring three goals in 17 appearances with the national side.

His career started with Wifaq Yaakoub El Mansour, before he moved to the Police Union and later to FUS Rabat.

The day before the tragic accident which resulted in his death, he scored two goals for his club, Royal Armed Forces, in a league match. He was also part of their trophy-winning side last month when they captured Morocco's Throne Cop.

Zeruoali had hoped to return to the UK in September, but his plans to seal a deal with the English side Darlington were dashed when he was refused a work permit after failing to re-establish himself in the Moroccan international side.