Germany Bundesliga 2 club, Fortuna Düsseldorf, said a swimming accident has caused the sudden demise of a youth team player, Newton Opoku-Mensah, who is of Ghanaian descent.

The club announced on Wednesday that their U17 player died on Tuesday evening following the accident at a lake in Duisburg.

Despite rescue efforts, Opoku-Mensah later passed away in a hospital due to the consequences of the accident.

“Training and matches for all youth teams, from U9 to U19, have been suspended until further notice. The Fortuna family extends its condolences to Newton's relatives, the entire U17 team, and the staff at the youth development center,” the club said in a statement.

Klaus Allofs, Board Member for Sports & Communication at Fortuna Düsseldorf, said: “We are deeply shocked and cannot fathom this news.

“Newton was a young man who was living his dream and has now passed away far too soon.

“Our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy go out to Newton's family and relatives, as well as to all his teammates and the entire team at our youth performance center.”