Kenzo Kies died at the age of only 21. © Dream Team

Swimming accident: Tragedy involving 21-year-old footballer

French football is mourning the loss of young player Kenzo Kies after a fatal swimming accident.

June 25, 2026

From: apa/dpa

The 21-year-old player from second-division club EA Guingamp died near his hometown of Lyon. French media reported that Kies had been swimming in the Rhône River with friends on Monday in temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius. Swimming at that location is dangerous and actually prohibited. Three people were rescued by the fire department.

His club announced his death in a post on X. Other clubs, such as AS Monaco, reacted with sorrow to the tragic news. Kies' former club, AS Saint-Étienne, also reacted with shock. The young professional, who moved to Guingamp last summer and played for their reserve team, had spent seven years in their youth academy.