"Tragically, we were informed by the police that Matthew has collapsed and died in the early hours of Monday July 21. Though we have heard much in the way of rumours the only factual information we have been given is that he collapsed and died outside a bar and despite an ambulance being called he had died and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

"Matthew was on holiday with a group of friends, including two older adults who were the parents of two members of the groups, we are expecting them to return to the UK anytime now and hope they will have further information for us.

"The UK authorities have been helpful to us, but the information they can provide has been limited as they do not have jurisdiction outside the UK.

"We hope that Matthew's body will be brought home within the next few days.

"Matthew had just completed a year's study ay college in process engineering and was planning to start an advanced apprenticeship in petrochemical project management in September.

"To pay his way through college he had worked part-time and was named employee of the month in May.

"His family and friends are understandably devastated and very distressed as Matthew was wonderful, caring and much loved. All those who met him said what a great person he was - he has never been in trouble or caused harm to anyone.

"He was kind, generous and considerate and we will all miss him greatly. At present we are trying to cope on an hour to hour basis.

"Friends of Matthew have set up a memorial page for him on the Internet and have planned a minute's silence at a sports ground where he played football and a match is to take place in his honour, where all the players will be wearing t-shirts printed with his picture.

"Other friends have signed a Sheffield Wednesday flag - he was a keen supporter - and are going to present it to us.

"We are all proud and privileged to have had Matthew in our family and our lives and hope that our precious memories of happier times will help us get through this."