Klaus Allofs, Board Member for Sports & Communication at Fortuna Düsseldorf, has voiced profound shock and sorrow following the tragic death of Newton Opoku-Mensah, a rising star from the club’s U17 squad.

The 17-year-old Ghanaian talent drowned in a Duisburg lake on Tuesday evening. Despite extensive medical intervention, Newton tragically passed away at the hospital.

In response to this heartbreaking event, Fortuna Düsseldorf has suspended all training and match activities for its youth teams, ranging from U9 to U19. This decision underscores the club’s deep grief and respect for Newton’s memory.

The club has extended its heartfelt condolences to Newton’s family, teammates, and the staff at the youth development center.

In a statement, Klaus Allofs expressed the club's devastation, saying, “We are deeply shocked and cannot grasp this news. Newton was a young man who was living his dream, and he passed away far too early.

Our sympathy and deepest condolences are with Newton's family and relatives, as well as with all his teammates and the entire team at our youth performance center.”

Newton Opoku-Mensah’s untimely death is a significant loss to Fortuna Düsseldorf and the broader football community. His talent and potential were widely recognized, and his passing has left a profound impact on everyone associated with the club.

Wir trauern um U17-Spieler Newton Opoku-Mensah, der gestern nach einem Badeunfall verstorben ist. Das Mitgefühl der gesamten Fortuna-Familie gilt den Angehörigen, dem gesamten Team der U17 & den Mitarbeiterinnen & Mitarbeitern im NLZ 🕊️🕯️🙏
👉 https://t.co/fNVc3Dx58P#f95 | 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/sU6PME0gvK

— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) July 31, 2024