Christian Mbulu tribute paid by Derek Adams as Morecambe boss reveals shock at tragic passing of former Motherwell defender

The ex-Fir Park defender suddenly died on Tuesday and had been playing for Adams at Morecambe since January.

Derek Adams spoke of his shock at the death of Christian Mbulu as he led the tributes to the former Motherwell defender.

And the Morecambe manager revealed the horror brought back tragic memories of the death of another former Fir Park youngster, Andy Thomson, during his time at the Steelmen.

Shattered Shrimps gaffer Adams took Mbulu to the Globe Arena in January but the Lancashire club has been plunged into mourning following the player’s sudden death on Tuesday, aged 23.

Adams signed the stopper from Crewe who he had joined after a season at Well where he made half a dozen top-team appearances following his release by Millwall.

The Scot described a popular player in the dressing room for the League Two side and admitted he had to now help the grief-stricken club and Mbulu’s friends and family through the tragedy.

Former Ross County and Plymouth boss Adams was a player at Motherwell when team-mate Thomson died from a heart attack aged just 19 in December 1998.

And as he tried to come to terms with the loss of Mbulu, Adams said: “It’s always tragic when any youngster dies and we all have to come together at the football club and support the people around us.

“I found out late on Tuesday afternoon and we’re all shocked that such a young player can be taken from us at this time.

“It’s so tough to deal with these situations and I was at Motherwell when Andy died as a very young player.

“As a football club and as a manager I’m trying to look after my players and obviously look after and speak to people who were very close to Christian and be there for them at this difficult time.

“Christian came to us during the transfer window from Crewe and he was a lovely boy who worked ever so hard. He added competition for places at the time to enable us to pick up some really crucial points.

“He was a boy who always had a smile on his face and that rubbed off on the players around him.

“What we can do at this moment in time is to show our respects to Christian and that’s what we’re doing.”

Mbulu came off the bench against Rangers in November 2018 for his Motherwell debut with his final appearance a home defeat to Kilmrnock on Boxing Day that same season.

Steelmen assistant boss Keith Lasley also spoke of his shock and said: “Christian was a joy in the dressing room and from a coaching perspective was a dream to have in the building.

“He exuded energy for anything he turned his attention to.

“Win, lose or draw, he brought joy, enthusiasm and he was a real energy giver in the group.

“For someone so young, fit and full of life to pass away just leaves us all numb.”