Former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Quévin Castro has died at the age of 25 after collapsing during a friendly match in Portugal.
Castro was representing Portuguese third-tier side Real Sport Clube against top-flight club Estrela da Amadora in a friendly in Lisbon on Saturday, 22 August, when he suddenly fell to the ground during the match.
The match was abandoned following the incident. Castro could not be saved despite efforts to provide medical assistance, turning what had been a routine pre-season fixture into a devastating scene for both teams.
The Lisbon Football Association expressed its condolences to Castro’s family, friends and the clubs associated with him. Real Sport Clube and Estrela da Amadora also paid tribute to the young midfielder following his sudden death.
Castro had developed much of his professional football career in England. He joined West Bromwich Albion’s academy in 2021 and subsequently progressed into the club’s senior set-up. His first-team debut came in the League Cup against Arsenal, marking the beginning of his career at senior level.
He later gained experience through loan spells at Burton Albion, Notts County and Gateshead before leaving West Brom in 2023. Those spells gave him the opportunity to play regular competitive football and continue his development as a midfielder.
After departing West Brom, Castro remained involved in English football, continuing his career with other clubs before returning to Portugal. His move to Real Sport Clube represented another chapter in a career that had taken him between the Portuguese and English football systems.
His death has prompted tributes from clubs on both sides of the English Channel. West Bromwich Albion said it was deeply saddened by the news of their former player’s death.
The Championship club are planning to honour Castro during their match against Burnley. Players and staff will wear black armbands as a mark of respect, while a tribute is also expected to take place during the fixture.
Castro’s death at just 25 has left teammates, former clubs and supporters mourning a player whose professional career was still in its early stages. The circumstances surrounding his sudden collapse have not been publicly detailed beyond the reports that he became unwell during the match.
For those who knew him through football, the tragedy has brought an abrupt end to the career of a young player who had already experienced professional football in two countries. What began as another competitive appearance for Real Sport Clube ended with a loss that has reverberated through the Portuguese and English football communities.
