Footballer, 21, dies after drowning in river as heartbreaking tributes paid | Football | Sport
Former Lyon and Saint-Etienne footballer Kenzo Kies has died following a tragic drowning incident. The 21-year-old had been declared brain dead after an accident in the Rhone River. The young player had been enjoying the French heatwave near the Parc de la Feyssine, situated between Villeurbanne and Caluire-et-Cuire, an area where swimming is prohibited. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 5:30pm on Monday.
Local reports indicate that four individuals, including Kies, were dragged under by a strong current. Two people were reportedly pulled to safety without requiring medical treatment, while a third was retrieved from the water, resuscitated, and taken to a nearby hospital in a stable condition. Kies, however, could not initially be found.
Divers eventually recovered him from the river, but he was declared brain dead following attempts to resuscitate him.
AS Saint-Etienne have confirmed his death on social media, writing on X: “The Green Generation is in mourning.
“A resident of the Robert-Herbin Sports Center for seven years, a talented player and discreet young man appreciated by all, Kenzo Kies has lost his life in dramatic circumstances.
“AS Saint-Etienne extends its most sincere condolences to his loved ones as well as to those, team-mates and coaches, alike who shared a piece of his Stephanois journey. Kenzo, in the corridors of L’Etrat, no one will ever forget you.”
En Avant Guingamp posted: “En Avant Guingamp has had the sorrow of learning of the death of Kenzo Kies, a young player with the club. A Guingamp native since last summer, he was playing this season with the reserve team.
“En Avant Guingamp extends its most sincere condolences to Kenzo Kies’s family as well as to all his loved ones, and offers them its full support during this painful ordeal.”
Kies had started his footballing career at French giants Lyon, coming through their academy before making the move to Saint-Etienne.
However, the youngster left their ranks when his contract ran down last summer. He joined Ligue 2 side En Avant Guingamp, where he had been turning out for their reserve team.
