Mino Raiola's family confirm football agent has died aged 54

Mino Raiola has passed away the age of 54, it has been confirmed in a statement from his family.

One of the world's most famous agents, Raiola represented some of the biggest players in the game and helped change the way football transfers are conducted.

News that Raiola was seriously ill in a Milan hospital broke on Thursday, with the Italian even taking to social media to deny reports that he had passed away.

However, in a statement released on his official Twitter account on Saturday afternoon, on behalf of his family, it was confirmed that Raiola has now died after a lengthy battle with illness.

"In infinite sorrow we share the passing of most caring and amazing football agent that ever was.

"Mino fought until the end with the same strength he put on negotiation tables to defend our players. As usual, Mino made us proud and he never realised it.

"Mino touched so many lives through his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football. His presence will forever be missed.

"Mino's mission of making football a better place for players will continue with the same passion.

"We thank everybody for the huge amount of support received during these difficult time and ask for respect to the privacy of family and friends in this moment of grief."

Raiola was born in southern Italy in 1967 but grew up in the Netherlands. He became involved as a football agent during his early 20s, working for Sports Promotions, and helped broker moves involving high-profile Dutch players including Wim Jonk and Dennis Bergkamp.

Raiola's modern day clients included Zlatan Ibrahmovic, Paul Pogba and Erling Haaland, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Verratti and Mario Balotelli, and he is widely recognised as the most influential agent ever seen.