Quevin Castro, a 25-year-old Portuguese professional footballer and former West Bromwich Albion prospect, died on Saturday following a sudden cardiac arrest during a pre-season friendly match in Portugal, according to widespread reports from sports outlets including Ouest-France and TF1 Info.
The tragic incident unfolded on Saturday, August 22, during a warm-up fixture between Castro’s club, Real Sport Clube, and top-flight side Estrela da Amadora. Approximately ten minutes into the match at the Seixas stadium in Malveira, near Lisbon, the attacking midfielder collapsed onto the pitch.
Medical personnel from both clubs rushed to his aid immediately. According to reports from Portuguese sports daily A Bola, a defibrillator brought by Estrela da Amadora’s medical staff was deployed on the pitch as teams tried desperately to resuscitate the player. Emergency services then transported Castro to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
No specific medical cause for the cardiac arrest has been publicly determined at this stage. The sudden loss has cast a heavy shadow over Portuguese and English football, prompting an outpouring of grief from clubs across both countries where Castro plied his trade.
A Promising Journey Between England and Portugal
Born in Lisbon, Castro spent formative years building his career within the English league system. In 2021, he was signed by West Bromwich Albion, where he earned his senior breakthrough. According to club records cited by TF1 Info, he made his first-team debut for the Baggies in an EFL Cup tie against Arsenal before making his league debut in February 2022.
Following his departure from West Bromwich Albion, Castro featured for several English lower-division sides starting in 2023. His career path included stints with York City, Cambridge City, and Burton Albion—where he played under former Premier League striker and manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, as noted by Ouest-France. Over the summer, Castro returned to his native Portugal to join Real Sport Clube, a third-division club based in Massamá.
Tributes Flow From Former Clubs and Teammates
Real Sport Clube released an emotional statement addressing the tragedy on social media. “Quevin Castro was much more than just a player; he was an integral part of our family and left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him, both on and off the pitch,” the club wrote, extending condolences to his family and friends.
West Bromwich Albion also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their former prospect. The English club announced plans to honor his memory ahead of their upcoming fixture against Burnley, confirming that players will wear black armbands and observe a minute of applause at the 25th minute of the match to mark his age.
Other former English clubs, including York City and Burton Albion, shared statements of remembrance and condolences across social media platforms as the football community processes the sudden loss of the young midfielder.
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