French football has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of 21-year-old midfielder Kenzo Kies, who drowned in the Rhône River near Lyon during a severe heatwave in France.
Kies, who played for Ligue 2 side En Avant Guingamp's reserve team, was caught in a strong current along with three other people while swimming at Feyssine Falls. Emergency services rescued the group, but Kies was recovered in critical condition and later died in hospital after being declared brain dead.
Guingamp and former club AS Saint-Étienne paid tribute to the young midfielder, describing him as a talented and well-respected player. The tragedy occurred amid soaring temperatures across France, with authorities renewing warnings about the dangers of swimming in unsupervised waters during the ongoing heatwave.
Kies had progressed through the youth systems of Lyon and Saint-Étienne before joining Guingamp last year. His untimely death has sent shockwaves through the French football community.
