Footballer, 24, found dead in waters of Spanish port as heartbroken club pay tribute to ‘inspiration to us all’

A HEARTBROKEN nine has paid tribute aft 1 of their footballers was recovered dormant successful the waters of a Spanish port.

Croatian ace Jakov Jelkic, 24, played for Swiss third-tier squad FC Granges-Paccot.

He was successful Alicante with his nine for a tourney erstwhile the tragic infinitesimal occurred, according to Marca.

Local constabulary accidental Jelkic fell into the oversea and drowned aft a nighttime retired clubbing with respective teammates.

The footballer was past spotted “staggering” retired of a bar, “having ingested immoderate benignant of alcoholic beverage”.

Jelkic failed to instrumentality to his hotel, wherever unit reported him missing the pursuing morning.

His household besides enactment retired societal media messages successful a hopeless effort to find him.

But constabulary made a grim find connected Monday day arsenic they recovered his assemblage successful the h2o of Alicante’s port.

Jelkic’s passing has since been confirmed by cops arsenic an accidental death.

And his nine paid tribute connected societal media with a touching statement.

It read: “It is with large sadness that we learned of Jakov’s passing.

“All our thoughts spell to his family, friends, teammates and each the radical who knew him intimately oregon from afar.

“His representation volition stay everlastingly engraved successful our hearts.

“A friend, a teammate, an inspiration to america all. Rest successful peace.”

Fans besides paid tribute to Jelkic online.

One said: “Forever successful our hearts.”

Another declared: “In enactment of the family, players and each his loved ones.”

One noted: “This is truthful sad.”

Another added: “My condolences to the family, friends and team.”

Unlock adjacent much award-winning articles arsenic The Sun launches marque caller rank programme - Sun Club.