TRIBUTES have been paid to a young footballer after he passed away aged just 11.

Aaron Higgs, a pupil at Loretto Primary School in Musselburgh, played for the Musselburgh Youngstars 2008 team and the club announced the sad news on Facebook yesterday (Sunday).

In a post, the club said: "It is with an extremely heavy heart that we are announcing the passing of Aaron Higgs from our 2008 team.

"Higgsy has been part of the club for a very long time and his infectious smile will be missed greatly.

"Aaron was in primary seven at Loretto Primary School and enjoyed karate as well as football.

"He will be greatly missed and all our thoughts are with our 2008s head coach Martin, Gemma and all the family."