Ex West Brom Midfielder Quevin Castro Dies at 25 After Collapsing on Pitch

​The global football community is in mourning following the sudden death of Portuguese midfielder Quévin Castro, who has passed away at the age of 25 after collapsing during a pre-season friendly.

​The player fell to the turf during the first half of a warm-up fixture between his current side, lower-league Portuguese outfit Real Sport Clube, and top-flight club Estrela da Amadora at the Estádio das Seixas in Malveira, Lisbon.

​Emergency Response and Abandonment

​Medical personnel from both clubs rushed to his aid immediately, utilizing a defibrillator on the pitch before transporting him via ambulance to a nearby hospital. Despite urgent medical intervention, he was later pronounced dead. In the wake of the devastating medical emergency, the match was immediately abandoned.

​The Lisbon Football Association (AFL) released a statement confirming his passing and expressing profound sorrow, calling it a dark day for Portuguese football.

​In a heartfelt statement, Real Sport Clube paid tribute to their fallen teammate:

​”Quévin Castro was much more than just a player; he was an integral part of our family, leaving an indelible mark on all those who knew him, both on and off the field.”

​A Journey Across England and Portugal

​Born in Lisbon and raised in Thetford, Norfolk, Castro spent time in the prestigious youth academy of Sporting CP before forging a diverse career across English non-league and professional football.

​He caught the eye of West Bromwich Albion, signing for the EFL Championship club in the summer of 2021. He made his senior debut for the Baggies later that year against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, followed by a league appearance against Swansea City. During his time at The Hawthorns, he gained experience through loan spells with Burton Albion, Notts County, and Gateshead.

​Following his departure from West Brom in 2023, Castro represented several other English clubs—including York City, Cambridge City, and Eastbourne Borough—before returning to his native Portugal ahead of the new season to join Real Sport Clube.

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​Tributes Lead to Emotional Outpouring

​Former clubs and football authorities have united in grief. West Bromwich Albion released a statement saying they were completely “devastated” by the news. The English club honored his memory with a minute of applause in the 25th minute of their Championship fixture against Burnley, with players wearing black armbands.

​Condolences also poured in from Estrela da Amadora, the Portuguese Players’ Union, and several of his former non-league English sides as the sport reflects on the sudden loss of a young life.