Tottenham players will be wearing black armbands in their Premier League match against Manchester City following the death of Charlotte FC star and former academy graduate Anton Walkes.
Charlotte announced the passing of Walkes at the age of 25 on Thursday morning after the defender was involved in a tragic boating accident in Florida the previous afternoon.
He was discovered unconscious after two boats crashed near Miami Marine Stadium at around 3pm on Wednesday, reports the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Walkes then received CPR from Miami Fire Rescue before being transported to hospital, but died early Thursday.
The English center-back, who has a young daughter called Ayla with his girlfriend Alexis, started his professional career with Tottenham after spending four years in their academy ranks.
He only made one appearance for Spurs, coming in a League Cup game against Gillingham in 2016, before leaving the club two years later.
Tottenham said they were 'deeply saddened' by the news of Walkes' passing in a statement on Thursday, before adding that their first team will wear black armbands against City later in the evening as a tribute.
The north London outfit's academy sides will also wear black armbands in his memory during their matches over the weekend.
Walkes, who was born in Lewisham, south east London, was first spotted by Spurs while playing for non-league club Dulwich Hamlet and went on to sign his first professional contract with them in 2015.
Following loan spells in America with Atlanta United and in England's lower leagues with Portsmouth, he joined the latter team permanently in 2018.
A second stint with Atlanta then came two years later, before he was selected by Charlotte in the 2021 MLS Expansion Draft. Walkes made 24 appearances in his debut season.
'We are heartbroken from the loss of Anton Walkes, a truly incredible father, loving person, and outstanding human being,' Charlotte's sporting director Zoran Krneta said in a statement.
'Anton embodied what it means to be a part of Charlotte Football Club and our entire community is grieving over this tragedy.
'The impact he made in the locker room and throughout Charlotte will never be forgotten. We are thinking of his lovely family during this time and will support them fully in every way imaginable.'
In their own statement, Major League Soccer expressed their pain at the 'tragic' news of Walkes' death, writing: 'There are no words to describe the sorrow of everyone in Major League Soccer today after learning of the tragic passing of Anton Walkes of Charlotte FC.
'Anton was a talented and dedicated player who was loved by his teammates and fans. We extend our deepest condolences to his partner, family, friends and the entire Charlotte FC family.
'MLS is coordinating with Charlotte FC to provide players and family members with the resources and support they may need during this tragic time.'