Ibrahim Toure, brother of Yaya and Kolo, dies aged 28

His death was announced by the Ivorian Football Federation, who said in a statement that Ibrahim - himself a player with Al Safa in Lebanon, passed away hours after the Ivory Coast's 2-1 World Cup loss to Colombia on Thursday.

No official reason was given for the death, which occurred in Manchester, where Yaya Toure plays his club football with City. The Manchester Evening News reported though that Ibrahim Toure had been receiving treatment for cancer in the city.

"The thoughts of everyone at Manchester City FC are with Yaya and Kolo Toure following the death of their younger brother Ibrahim," Manchester City said in a statement read.

"Ibrahim was a regular visitor to Carrington and was a popular figure among the staff and players and was extremely close to his two older brothers."

The Ivory Coast FA confirmed the news in a statement:

"Kolo and Yaya Toure just heard about the death of their young brother, Toure Oyala Ibrahim. The entire Ivorian delegation want to show their support to the players," the statement read.

“The Ivory Coast FA president and the executive committee have announced to the entire family of Ivorian football the death of Toure Oyala Ibrahim, the younger brother of Toure Kolo Abib and Toure Yaya Gnegneri, which happened on the 19th of June in Manchester (England).

“In such a sad situation, the players from the Ivory Coast national team, and the entire delegation here in Brazil, show their support to the Toure brothers and their whole family. The president of Football Ivory Coast Federation and the executive committee ask Ivorians for their prayers.”

City captain Vincent Kompany expressed his sympathy, tweeting: " My sincere condolences to the Toure family for the loss of Ibrahim. We are all saddened by this news. Keep strong."

As recently as January, Ibrahim Toure had said in an interview with FIFA.com that he hoped to one day join his brothers in the Ivorian national team.

Toure said: "I think I still have a chance of representing my country.

"If I manage to join a European side, maybe one day I'll get called up to the national team."

Toure also admitted he found it difficult that his career was constantly compared to that of his two brothers.

He added: "Of course there's a huge amount of pressure on me wherever I go because I'm the brother of Yaya and Kolo Toure.

"But you mustn't forget that I'm a forward, whereas Yaya is a midfielder and Kolo is a defender. Speaking for myself, I always give everything."