A Nottingham youth football club has paid tribute to one of their former players who is believed to have died after being stabbed in Birmingham. Nottingham-based Rossoneri youth football club paid tribute to 16-year-old former player Sekou Doucoure. They made the announcement on Thursday July 14.
In a short statement posted on the club's Facebook page, Sekou's death was described as "tragic" by those at the club. The expressed that their thoughts were with the young sportsman's family and friends.
In a post on The Rossoneri Facebook page, a spokesperson said once played for Nottingham Forest's academy and added: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the tragic passing of The Rossoneri former player Sekou.
Read more: Footballer dies following 'medical emergency' on the pitch at Nottingham's Forest Recreation Ground
"This news has left everyone involved with the club devastated and heartbroken. Sekou played for The Rossoneri Fc before joining Nottingham Forest academy.
"Our thoughts are with Sekou ’s friends and family at this awful and difficult time."
Rodrick Maveso, founder of The Rossoneri, managed Sekou for a couple of years and helped him sign for the Nottingham Forest academy before the teenager moved to Birmingham.
"I help the kids, if I see talent then I speak to one of the guys at Nottingham Forest. They wanted to sign him. He went there for trials for eight week trials, they liked him and then they signed him.
"He was a very good goalkeeper at grassroots level, personally I think he was the best one there [in junior Nottingham football at that age]. The goalkeeper position is very crucial and very hard."
He subsequently left Forest moved to Birmingham with his mum. His ex-manager said he went on to have trials with West Brom and Aston Villa but struggled with injuries after his time at Forest.
After hearing of the young man's death, the coach said: "I heard it on the news, I could not believe it because he was growing. He was a very, very calm person.
"He was my player - that hurts me even the most because he was someone I knew; I know the family, I know the mum, I know the siblings. We were like a family. To get that sad news it broke me."
Remembering the youngster, the coach added: "He was a bit of a comedian of the group. He was quiet but, at the same time, he was not quiet because he wanted to make people laugh."
In connection to the incident, West Midlands Police arrested two boys aged 12 and 15 on suspicion of violent disorder. A 19-year-old man, suffering an arm injury, was arrested on suspicion of murder. The victim was killed near the junction of Nursery Road and Burbery Street in the Lozells area of Birmingham.
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