THE FAMILY of a talented teenager who was killed by an unknown bacteria have paid tribute to him.

Josh Ayuba, 18, of Flint Close in Portslade, died on Sunday evening after he became ill two weeks ago.

The youngster was a keen footballer who played for Southwick FC’s under-21 team while shining academically, too.

Josh finished studying at Portslade Aldridge Community Academy this year and was preparing to move to Bournemouth to study economics before his tragic death.

One of three children, Josh, who also studied at Cardinal Newman, was incredibly popular among his friends, but his most superior trait was his generosity.

“He was the most amazing son,” said Josh’s Filipino mother, Estrella.

“There were many times we would be struggling, for example when there wasn’t much dinner left. Josh would always say ‘mum, you have it’ and it would go on and on. He had a very generous heart.”

A boy of many talents, Josh excelled in all aspects of his life.

Estrella, 56, said: “He was very intelligent. His teachers would always say how clever he is.”

When he finished college, Josh began working in sales at a call centre.

His mother added: “They said he was one of the best salesmen on his team.”

He is sorely missed by his two sisters, Ruth, 25, and 17-year-old Jubilee.

Two weeks before his death, Josh complained of an extremely painful earache which caused him to miss football training.

His manager, Mark Hilfiker, and family urged him to see his doctor because he was becoming distressed.

Josh went to his GP at the Mile Oak Medical Centre in Chalky Road, where he was given medicine and sent home.

However, after not being able to eat and sleep properly for five days, Josh returned to the clinic and saw another doctor, who immediately sent him to the A and E department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

An unknown bacteria had formed and reached his brain, which started causing Josh to hallucinate and suffer numerous seizures.

Last Tuesday, he was put in the intensive care unit. From then onwards he could not even recognise his own family, to their despair.

Josh died at around 7pm on Sunday night, and he leaves behind an abundance of people who loved him, especially his two sisters, Ruth and Jubilee.

Elder sister Ruth, 25, said: “We encourage everyone to make sure they go for vaccination,” she urged.

“Live life to the fullest and spend time with your family, because it’s the hardest thing knowing you won’t get that time back.”

Firm believers in Christianity, the Ayuba family said they are praying for Josh’s friends at an extremely painful time.

Ruth said: “Josh would want them to have the most fulfilling version of their lives possible.”

Paying tribute to her younger brother, she added: “Thank you for all the weird banter we shared. We would laugh at random stuff and make fun of mum’s Filipino accent.

“And thank you for giving me another opportunity in life. I won’t waste the way I live my life.”

Younger sister Jubilee, 17, said: “I will always remember randomly laughing at things with him.

“I miss hearing his laugh.”

Josh also had a Staffordshire bull terrier, Blue, who he loved dearly. One of the last things he did was take him for a walk at Devil’s Dyke.

Ruth said their father, Olu Ayuba, said: “I will never forget you Josh. Love you always.”

As well as being the generous family man he was, Josh was a valuable, much-loved member of Southwick FC.

He joined them in June, and manager Mark spoke highly of his right-midfielder.

“He was a lovely lad. In pre-season someone pulled out of our match against Saltdean, and we asked Josh to play.

“He got the bus all the way from his to come and play because he didn’t want to let anyone down.

“Josh was always chatting and always smiling. It’s devastating what’s happened.”

Southwick under-21s’ match against Hassocks was postponed on Sunday out of respect for Josh, along with the first team game at home to Oakwood.

On Thursday, the under-21s will face Hassocks, and Mark has requested both sides wear black armbands for Josh and partake in one minute’s silence before the match.

“We’re going ahead with the match on Thursday because I think it’s what Josh would have wanted,” said Mark.

The manager also felt Josh had the potential to become a county league footballer.

Mark is appealing for a picture of Josh so that he can put it up in the team’s clubhouse to remember his young player.