Wolfsburg midfielder Junior Malanda has died at the age of 20, the Belgian Football Association has announced.
According to reports in Germany, the Belgium Under-21 international died after the car he was a passenger in crashed on a motorway near Porta Westfalica in north-west Germany on Saturday afternoon.
Bild newspaper said the two other people in the vehicle had been taken to hospital with serious injuries after the car left the road and crashed into a tree amid heavy rain and wind.
A statement on www.belgianfootball.be read: 'The football world today lost a great talent. Junior Malanda lost his life this afternoon, at the age of 20.
'The Belgian Football Association extends its sympathy to family and friends.'
Malanda, who joined the Bundesliga club from Belgian side Zulte Waregem in 2013, had reportedly been due to fly to South Africa on Saturday night for Wolfsburg's winter training camp.
Such a shame was a very talented footballer
Junior Malanda has died aged 20
posted on 10/1/15
Can't say I watched him but he was always one of my first purchases on career mode, Still RIP to the bloke I'm guessing he had a promising career ahead
posted on 10/1/15
Sad news.
posted on 10/1/15
RIP 🌹
posted on 10/1/15
RIP
posted on 10/1/15
This article title needs changing. He was not killed. He died, massive difference.
Showing a lot of disrespect in my eyes.
posted on 10/1/15
Jeez no disrespect! Just a mistake.
posted on 10/1/15
Nice one OP.
Just seemed really inappropriate that's all.
posted on 10/1/15
Misleading is the right word. Anyway, may he RIP
posted on 11/1/15
Very sad. A player with a lot of potential. Big loss.
posted on 11/1/15
RIP.... could have a great future... unfortunately...