Lewisham-born MLS footballer Anton Walkes killed in horror boat crash in Miami
A former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth footballer, who was born in Lewisham, has been killed in an accident in Miami, his club Charlotte FC said.
Anton Walkes, 25, was killed in a boat crash near Miami on Wednesday, local media has reported.
US football club Charlotte FC confirmed his death in a tweet, saying it was “devastated” and called him an “outstanding human being”.
He was given CPR and taken to hospital after being found unconscious when two boats collided near the Marine Stadium, the Miami Herald said.
He is believed to have been in Florida for a pre-season training camp with his team.
Charlotte FC’s owner, David Tepper, said Walkes “was a tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met”.
“Anton made those around him better people in all areas of life,” he said.
Walkes played for the Tottenham youth teams and played once for the first team, in a League Cup tie in 2016.
He also played 66 times for Portsmouth before moving to Atlanta United in the United States in 2020.
Spurs wore black armbands in memory of Walkes during last night’s Premier League game with Manchester City.
In a statement, the Premier League club said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player, Anton Walkes.
“As a mark of respect, our first team will wear black armbands at this evening’s Premier League match against Manchester City, with all our academy sides to wear black armbands this weekend.”
Charlotte sporting director Zoran Krneta said: “We are heartbroken from the loss of Anton Walkes – a truly incredible father, loving person and outstanding human being.
“Anton embodied what it means to be a part of Charlotte FC 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.”
Pictured top: Anton Walkes makes an appearance for Spurs in 2016 (Picture: PA)