Former Juventus, Chelsea and Italy striker Gianluca Vialli has died aged 58 of pancreatic cancer, his former clubs announced on Friday.

Vialli was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 but was still able to play a significant role in Italy’s European Championship title-winning campaign in 2021 assisting long-time Sampdoria strike partner and national coach Roberto Mancini.

However, the signs were not good when he announced a temporary leave from his role with the national team in December to focus on his health.

Vialli spent eight seasons at Genoa-based Sampdoria before joining Juventus in 1992 for a then world record 16.5 million euros.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 03, 1996 Juventus striker Gianluca Vialli (L) is challenged by Nantes midfielder Jean-Michel Ferri during their Champions League first leg semi-final in Turin. (Photo by Patrick HERTZOG / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 10, 2021 Italy’s assistant coach Gianluca Vialli attends a training session at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on June 10, 2021 on the eve of the UEFA EURO 2020 Group A football match between Turkey and Italy.(Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

He won the Champions League with Juventus before joining Chelsea in 1996 and becoming player-manager in 1998.

Vialli took over from the sacked Ruud Gullit late in the season, and went on to lead Chelsea to victory in the League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

He also guided Chelsea to victory in the 2000 FA Cup final but was sacked in the following season.

Chelsea’s current co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said in a statement: “This is truly an awful day for Chelsea Football Club. Gianluca’s legend will live on at Stamford Bridge.

“His impact as a player, a coach and most importantly as a person, will be forever written across our club’s history.”

(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 12, 2021 Italy’s delegation chief Gianluca Vialli greets supporters after their win in the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between Italy and England at the Wembley Stadium in London on July 11, 2021. – Former Italy international Gianluca Vialli died, his ex-club Sampdoria said on January 6, 2023. (Photo by FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA / POOL / AFP)

Sampdoria, where Vialli won the Serie A title and European Cup Winners’ Cup, said in their statement: “We have come a long way together, growing and searching, winning and dreaming. You came as a boy, we salute you as a man.”

Vialli played 59 times for Italy, scoring 16 goals.

The Italian football federation (FIGC) said a minute’s silence would be held before all matches in the country this weekend.

“Gianluca was a wonderful person and leaves an unbridgeable void, in the national team and in all those who appreciated his extraordinary human qualities,” it said.