Former Liverpool Defender Rigobert Song in Critical Condition After Stroke

Former Liverpool defender Rigobert Song has been hospitalised in his home country of Cameroon after suffering a stroke on Sunday that has left him in critical condition and "fighting for his life."

That's according to Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo, who reported the 40-year-old had a brain aneurysm.

L'Equipe (h/t Ian Holyman of ESPN FC) added that he "fell ill at his home in the Cameroonian capital Yaounde" and was subsequently taken to hospital. On Tuesday, he came out of his coma and will be flying to France to be transferred for more treatment, via BBC Sport.

Song played 35 times for the Reds and had 137 caps for his country—with whom he won Olympic gold and appeared at four World Cups—during his playing career.

A number of former players and Liverpool team-mates, including the likes of Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher and Patrik Berger, sent messages of support:

So too did compatriot and former international team-mate Samuel Eto'o, who, according to Holyman, wrote on Twitter: "I wish you a lot of courage and to get well soon, big bro."

Liverpool and Galatasaray, another of his former clubs, also sent well wishes:

Song is the uncle of Rubin Kazan's Alex Song, formerly of Arsenal and Barcelona.

After leaving Liverpool, the former Metz defender went on to have spells with the likes of West Ham United, Lens and Galatasaray before hanging up his boots with Trabzonspor in 2010. Song has been head coach of Chad's national team since last year.