The mother of Stoke City footballer Mame Diouf is understood to have died in a stampede during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi authorities put the death toll from last month’s crush near Mecca at 769, but foreign media and officials put the figure at more than 1,000.

The club said it wished to extend “sincere condolences” to the player.

Stoke said it would provide Diouf with “all the support he needs at this extremely difficult time”.

The club said its thoughts and prayers are with the player, his family and friends following “the tragic death of his mother”.

The former Manchester United striker and Senegal forward joined Stoke on a free transfer when his Hannover contract expired in July last year.

The crush in Mina happened as two large groups of pilgrims converged as they were taking part in one of the Hajj’s major rites.

Over 1,000 people from 34 countries lost their citizens in the stampede.