German goalie's death called suicide

HANNOVER, Germany, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- German national soccer team goalie Robert Enke apparently committed suicide by stepping in front of a train, authorities said Tuesday.

Hannover, Germany, police spokesman Stefan Wittke said in a statement Enke, 32, died Tuesday evening, CNN reported.

"Preliminary police investigations indicate a suicide," Wittke said, without elaborating on what led police to reach that conclusion.

The U.S. broadcaster said Enke's teammates were stunned by the news of his death. Enke had worn Germany's national uniform eight times in international matches and was a star for the Hannover 96 team in Germany's top circuit, the Bundesliga.

"We are in a state of shock," team Manager Oliver Bierhoff said in a statement.

Soccer analysts told CNN Enke was on course to secure the goaltending job for Germany in the 2010 World Cup when he died.

Enke is survived by his wife and an 8-month-old daughter, whom the couple reportedly adopted after their 2-year-old daughter died in 2006 from a heart condition.