French league honours Sala, Nantes retires his No 9 jersey

London - Tributes are being paid across soccer to Argentine player Emiliano Sala, with the French league announcing a minute's applause before matches.

READ: 'We can now mourn': Sala's family after body ID

French club Nantes says it will retire the No. 9 jersey worn by Sala before he was sold last month to Cardiff in the English Premier League.

The 28-year-old Sala was flying to south Wales to start a new chapter in his career when his plane disappeared from radar on January 21 above the English Channel.

The wreckage was found only on Sunday and a body recovered was confirmed as Sala's on Thursday. Authorities are yet to find pilot David Ibbotson, the other person on board the small aircraft.

Nantes said: "Emiliano will always be among the legends who has written the great history of Nantes. We have lost a friend, a talented player and an exemplary team-mate."

The club confirmed in a tweet... "Because Emiliano Sala will always be a part of the legends who have written the great history of FC Nantes, his number 9 jersey will be retired."

Parce qu'Emiliano Sala fera à jamais partie des légendes qui ont écrit la grande histoire du FC Nantes, le numéro 9? qu'il a porté est retiré.#RIPSala pic.twitter.com/XFIVCVBFx7

— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) February 8, 2019