Promising Footballer Dies Days Before New York Red Bulls Move
- A 16-year-old football prodigy has tragically passed away in a car accident while on holiday in Guachene, near Cali
- The highly rated youngster had been tipped for a big future in the game, with scouts and coaches closely monitoring his rapid rise
- His club, Academia Alemana Popayán (AAFP), described the player's passing as a “huge loss for Colombian football,” paying tribute to his promise, character, and potential
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A tragic blow has struck Colombian football after a highly rated young talent lost his life in a car crash, just days before sealing a dream move to Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.
The 16-year-old, Eder Smic Valencia, died on Sunday morning while holidaying in Guachene, near Cali, after the vehicle he was travelling in reportedly collided with a tanker truck.
Source: Twitter
Authorities have since launched an investigation into the accident, according to the Daily Mail.
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Eder Smic Valencia tragically dies in car crash
Valencia had been widely tipped for a bright career, having shone at the Under-16 Bulls Cup in February and was reportedly preparing to fly to the United States this week to finalise his transfer to the Red Bulls.
As reported by Givemesport, the vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision with a tanker truck. The player was moving in a grey car as the tragic incident unfolded.
He was also on course to represent Colombia’s Under-17 national team at the 2026 South American Championship, with coaches at home and scouts abroad keeping a close eye on his rapid development.
His club, Academia Alemana Popayán (AAFP), confirmed the devastating news.
Known for nurturing talents who go on to play professionally, AAFP described Valencia’s passing as a “huge loss for Colombian football,” paying tribute to his promise, character, and potential.
A statement from the club said:
"It is with deep sorrow that we report the passing of our player Eder Smic Valencia Ambuila in a car accident while on vacation in Guachene. We are supporting his family and we will honour his memory here at AAFP. He will forever be in our hearts."
The statement shared on X is below:
The tragedy has left Valencia’s family, teammates, and coaches heartbroken, with his dream move abroad and promising international career tragically ended, as tributes pour in for a striker once hailed as a future star.
Just last month, an Ecuadorian footballer sadly lost his life following a devastating head-on car crash while asleep at the wheel.
Marcos Olmedo, who featured in five Copa Libertadores appearances, died on the morning of Sunday, August 24.
Two other men, aged 30 and 34, were also killed in the accident, which involved two vehicles.
Source: Twitter
Two footballers killed in tunnel car crash
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that two 19-year-old footballers died in a tragic tunnel crash that also left their teammate critically injured.
Danilo Boz and Fabio Rosa played for ASD Calcio Maniago Vajont in Italy’s sixth-tier Promozione league. The duo were killed instantly from their injuries after the collision, which occurred while travelling home from training.
Source: YEN.com.gh
