Ottio was due to travel to Great Britain to begin his career with the English Super League side having recently joined from Australian outfit Canberra Raiders before the start of the new season next month.

The centre was part of the Papua New Guinea side that reached the quarter-finals of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup before losing to England.

"We are devastated to learn that Kato Ottio has passed away this afternoon," Widnes chief executive, James Rule said.

"Kato was an incredibly talented player, with a bright future ahead of him in rugby league.

"This news is all the more tragic because Kato was due to travel to the UK this week to fulfil his dream of playing first-grade rugby league.

"We had been in regular contact with Kato and were excited to welcome a bright, excited and passionate young man, who had genuine potential for the future."

PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka said Ottio had died in hospital in Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby.

Further details are due to be released at a later date.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said he was "lost for words" upon hearing of Ottio's death.

"Receiving the devastating news this morning knocked me for six," he said in a statement on the Raiders website. 

"It was hard to believe given the age of Kato and how I remembered him here. 

"I am really lost for words.

"He was a very respectful young man who appreciated everything we were doing for him here in adjusting to life in Canberra and learning his trade in becoming a professional football player.

"He was very close to his family and my heart and prayers go out to them. I just could not imagine what they are going through at this moment."

In total, Ottio played six times for his country.

He scored one try in four appearances at last year’s World Cup.

He represented Papua New Guinea in volleyball before signing for the Canberra Raiders in February 2016, just two years after taking up rugby league.

Ottio spent the duration of his time at the Raiders with the club’s feeder team, the Mount Pritchard Mounties, in the New South Wales Cup.

"To receive this tragic news is heart-breaking," Widnes head coach Denis Betts said.

"All of us saw at the World Cup the incredible gifts that Kato had, and his potential to forge a great career in rugby league.

"Moreover, in all of our interactions with him, we found Kato to be a person of great character who was excited to be following his dreams.

"On behalf of the coaching team, staff and players at Widnes Vikings, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Kato’s loved ones."