News of Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque's heart failure has prompted mourning and condolences across Spain.

Jarque was found dead from heart failure in his hotel room on Saturday night after a training session.

Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino looked visibly shaken as he was confronted by reporters today. Making a brief statement to AS, Pochettino said the club was shocked and saddened by the death.

"He was a superb person and a great professional," the trainer was quoted as saying by AS.

"This is a huge loss for his family and for Espanyol, and it is a loss that is difficult to deal with.

"We do not yet believe that it has happened. It has been a huge blow, a real shock. It is a painful day for everyone and what has happened is inexplicable."

Supporters have put forward the idea of naming Espanyol's new stadium after Jarque as he captained the club in their first game there, which took place against Liverpool earlier this month.

Espanyol returned from Italy immediately after the event, cancelling friendlies against Bologna and Livorno, while their next scheduled outing is a local encounter with Girona on August 22.

The rest of the Primera Liga was also visibly shaken, with many teams offering condolences and releasing statements of support after the news broke.

Shrines have already been created outside Espanyol's stadium by fans for a player who had been with the club since the age of 12, and the Spanish footballing world united in support after news of his death stunned all.