Former Rangers player Arnold Peralta shot dead in Honduras

Former Rangers midfielder Arnold Peralta has been killed in his Honduran home town of La Ceiba after being shot in the car park of a shopping centre.

The 26-year-old, who was on holiday following the end of his club's season, was found dead in the car park according to a statement from the country's Ministry of Security.

The statement, reproduced on the website of Honduran newspaper La Prensa, said: "We regret the violent death of the outstanding sportsman Arnold Peralta, a young player of the national team of Honduras.

"The unfortunate incident occurred in the city of La Ceiba, in the parking lot of a shopping centre which has its own private security."

Robbery has already been ruled out as a motive for the killing as none of his belongings were taken.

Rangers, who will hold a minute's silence ahead of their game against Morton on Saturday, said in a statement: "Rangers Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news about former player Arnold Peralta. 

"Our thoughts go out to Arnold's family and friends at this very difficult time.

"The club will pay its respects with a minute's silence before tomorrow's game against Morton. The players will also wear black armbands in his honour."

Peralta won 24 caps for his country and played for Honduras at the 2012 London Olympics but missed the 2014 World Cup in Brazil through injury.

The club will pay its respects with a minute's silence before tomorrow's game against Morton. The players will also wear black armbands in his honour.

He spent 18 months at Rangers after joining from CD Vida in June 2013, helping the club win the Scottish League One title but left Ibrox halfway through last season, returning to his homeland with CD Olimpia.

Olimpia wrote on their Twitter feed: "We deeply regret the death of @Arnold12--favian [Peralta] and the continuing violent deaths in our country."

Two posts on the official feed of the Honduran Football Federation [Fenafuth] read: "@FenafuthOrg deeply regrets the tragic death of national team player Arnold Peralta, which has left national football in mourning.

"Our sincere expressions of sympathy and solidarity to the family and friends of Arnold Fabian Peralta."