MIAMI (AP) 鈥 Professional soccer player Anton Walkes has died from injuries he sustained in a boat crash off the coast of Miami, authorities said Thursday.
Walkes, who was 25, was found unconscious and taken to a hospital after the crash between two boats Wednesday near the Miami Marine Stadium basin, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Walkes was a passenger in one of the boats that crashed, the state agency said.
It was unclear whether anyone else was injured. The agency's investigation is ongoing.
Walkes, a defender, was entering his second season with MLS club Charlotte FC. The team had arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 9 for its first leg of preseason training and had a friendly scheduled with St. Louis on Saturday. That match has been cancelled.
Charlotte FC owner David Tepper said all at the club were 鈥渄evastated by the tragic passing of Anton Walkes.鈥
鈥淗e was a tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met,鈥 Tepper said in a club statement.
Walkes joined Charlotte for the club鈥檚 debut MLS season in 2022. He played in 23 matches with 21 starts and had five shots on goal this past season.
鈥淎nton made those around him better people in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the highest standard both on and off the pitch,鈥 Tepper said.
Fans began laying flowers outside of the east gate of Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium on Thursday. A vigil was planned there in the early evening.
Walkes began his career with English Premier League club Tottenham and also played for Portsmouth before signing with Atlanta United in the MLS, where he spent three seasons.
The MLS released a statement saying 鈥渢here are no words to describe the sorrow of everyone in Major League Soccer today.鈥
鈥淎nton was a talented and dedicated player who was loved by his teammates and fans," the statement said.
In 2016, a boat crash off Miami Beach , a star pitcher for the Miami Marlins. Fernandez and two other people died when their , according to authorities.
Charlotte FC teammate Jaylin Lindsey said he was 鈥渉eartbroken鈥 to learn of Walkes' death.
鈥淔ly high my brother, you鈥檙e the best teammate I could鈥檝e asked for,鈥 Lindsey Tweeted. 鈥淟ove you man."
Tottenham Hotspur also tweeted: 鈥淲e are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player, Anton Walkes. The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.鈥
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This story was first published on Jan. 19, 2023. It was updated on Jan. 20, 2023, to correct that authorities now say Walkes was a passenger, not an operator, of one of the boats.
