Former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson has reportedly died after being tasered by police in the early hours of this morning in Telford.

According to PA, Atkinson has been named locally as the man who was pronounced dead at 3am after West Mercia Police confirmed that officers fired a taser at him.

In a statement it was revealed that police responded to a call regarding the "concern for the safety of an individual" at around 1.30am.

Atkinson, who had spells at Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Real Sociedad in his career, received medical attention, but lost his life around 90 minutes after suffering a cardiac arrest.

West Mercia Police added that the case "has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as is normal procedure, and will assist the IPCC with their inquiries".

The former striker - best known for winning the Premier League's first ever goal of the season with a strike against Wimbledon - also had a loan stint at Manchester City in the 1996-97 season.