TRIBUTES have been paid to a talented Suffolk sportsman who is believed to have drowned after a night out with friends.

Police divers recovered a silver Volkswagen Golf belonging to Sam Watson from the River Waveney at St Olaves yesterday afternoon and found a body inside.

Officers believe it is that of Mr Watson, 25, a former Woodbridge School student, who went missing on Easter Monday following a stag-do in Great Yarmouth.

Staff from the school last night described Mr Watson, who was the rugby captain, as being “the kind of person you would always want in your team”.

Mr Watson - who attended the school from 1998-2005 - had been due to stay with friends in Great Yarmouth on Easter Monday but contacted them at 2.15am to cancel. He was last seen at around 2.30am on April 9 in Caesars Bar, Marine Parade.

Mr Watson, whose family live in Southwold, is believed to have worked as a farmer.

Adam Lubbock, head of sport at Woodbridge School said: “Sam was a very good sportsman and was always popular with both staff and fellow students.

“He played first team cricket and rugby and was captain of rugby in his final year and led his team on a tour of Spain during that season.

“I know everyone at the school will be deeply saddened to hear this tragic news and our thoughts and prayers will be with his family.”

Friends have begun to put condolences messages on social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter.

No formal identification has taken place and police have said that there were no suspicious circumstances.

A post mortem will take place next week and the death has been referred to the coroner.

Anyone who may have seen Sam since the early hours of Monday or anyone with information should call police on 101.