Sheffield United footballer Rhian Brewster has led tributes following the death of his cousin, 17-year-old Kaylen Dennis, during a match.
The former Liverpool star, who scored the only goal of his team’s match against Millwall on Wednesday, told BBC Radio Sheffield that he had dedicated the goal to his young cousin following his death.
Speaking to the radio station, Brewster gave an emotional speech as he reflected on the legacy of his cousin, a under 23 player with Walthamstow FC, and the family’s heartbreak.
"I want to dedicate that goal to my younger cousin. He passed away earlier today before the game, so that's one for him and the family," the footballer said on the show.
He added: "It was a very tough time [for the family], but I played for him today, and I was very happy to come away with a goal, and that's for him.
"It's bittersweet as it happened back in London, so that one was definitely for him."
During Wednesday’s game, Brewster was also pictured pointing his hand toward the sky after scoring his goal in what appears to be a touching gesture to his late cousin.
Brewster’s tribute came shortly after Dennis reportedly passed away while on the pitch during a match, according to a statement by the London football club.
No cause of death has been made public at this time.
In a social media post, Walthamstow Football Club added: “We are devastated to learn of the passing away of one of our U23 players, Kaylen Dennis during a game at the weekend.
“We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates and everyone that knew him.”
The post has been inundated with messages of condolences from the footballing community as people remembered the “talented footballer.”
“Words cannot describe how we feel about this news today,” read a statement by Walthamstow Reserves FC on social media
“A kid with the brightest future, beyond being a talented young footballer, he was a blessed young man. Our football family will gather around his family during this difficult time. Rest in perfect peace Kaylen Dennis.”
Speaking to MailOnline his manager at Walthamstow FC U-23s, said he collapsed and died after “an innocuous tackle” while playing in a college game.
Jason Geraghty, manager of Walthamstow FC U-23s told the website: “Kaylen was playing at Barnet College on Wednesday - it was just an innocuous tackle and he went down. We don't know what happened.
“He had been a bit unwell for a few weeks, but was still able to play.
“I got a call from his dad just after 12pm that he had gone down on a tackle and was not breathing.
“He was then pronounced dead at 12.24pm. We think he died immediately.”
A representative from Walthamstow Football Club has been approached by the Standard for comment.
