The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed in a statement that Anton Walkes, a defender for Major League Soccer team Charlotte FC, has died at age 25 from injuries sustained in a boating accident.
According to the FWC, on Wednesday January 18 at around 3 p.m., FWC officers responded to a two-vessel accident close to the Miami Marine Stadium basin. Walkes was unconscious and later received CPR after being transported to shore by Miami Fire Rescue.
“Mr. Walkes was taken to an area hospital where he later died from his injuries. Our thoughts are with the family, friends and fans of Mr. Walkes during this difficult time,” the statement said.
The investigation, according to the FWC, is still ongoing.
A statement from the CharlotteFC read, “Charlotte Football Club can confirm the tragic and heartbreaking news that defender Anton Walkes passed away early Thursday morning following an accident in South Florida”.
Charlotte FC owner David Tepper described Walkes as a “tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met.”
“He will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with Anton’s family during this heartbreaking time. The Club offers its full support to all those impacted during this period of mourning”, Tepper added.
Before playing for Atlanta United and Portsmouth, Walkes rose through the ranks of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur’s youth program.
Walkes relocated to the United States to join Atlanta on loan during the team’s inaugural MLS season in 2017, and following another spell at Portsmouth, he joined the club permanently in 2020.
After that, Walkes joined Charlotte FC for the MLS season of 2022.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Anton Walkes,” his former club Atlanta United FC said in a statement.
“An inaugural member of Atlanta United, Anton was the epitome of a great teammate with a personality that lit up every room he entered. He will be deeply missed by all of those who knew him. On behalf of everyone at Atlanta United, we send our deepest condolences to Anton’s family, friends and Charlotte FC.”
The club is “heartbroken” at the loss of “a truly incredible father, loving person, and outstanding human being”, Charlotte FC’s sporting director Zoran Krneta said.
“Anton embodied what it means to be a part of Charlotte Football Club and our entire community is grieving over this tragedy,” Krneta added.
“The impact he made in the locker room and throughout Charlotte will never be forgotten. We are thinking of his lovely family during this time and will support them fully in every way imaginable.”
Author-Roberta Appiah
