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The 35-year-old former Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder was taken to hospital having regained consciousness following the collapse.

"Phil was rushed to Wishaw General Hospital by ambulance after collapsing during today's game," the club said in a statement.

"Motherwell Football Club and Dundee United medical staff believe he suffered a seizure and efforts were made to revive him en route to hospital.

"Despite the efforts of the two club's medical staff and medical staff at the hospital Phil did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead at 17:18."

Motherwell owner John Boyle said: "This is an unspeakable tragedy for Phil's family. At this stage we do not know the exact cause of death but the club is obviously liaising with the medical staff at Wishaw General.

"Everyone at Motherwell is shocked to the core and we are sure that everyone involved in Scottish football will feel the same. Phil was not only an inspirational player for Motherwell and club captain, but was an inspirational person."

O'Donnell had just been substituted when he fainted and was treated on the pitch for five minutes before being taken to Wishaw General Hospital.

The player's nephew, David Clarkson, also played in the match, scoring twice, but was taken off soon after the collapse.

O'Donnell - who was capped once by Scotland and started his career at 'Well - is the second high-profile player to die during a game this season after Sevilla and Spain left back Antonio Puerta passed away following an on-pitch heart attack.

Wednesday's SPL match between Gretna and St Mirren has been postponed as a mark of respect to O'Donnell.

Reda Maher / Eurosport