An 18-year-old Chinese footballer died after sustaining a severe head injury during a training match in Madrid, Spain, his club confirmed.
The injury occurred last month while Guo Jiaxuan, a member of a Beijing under-20 football team, was playing against Spanish team RC Alcobendas.
He fell into a coma and later succumbed to his injuries. His death was announced just one day before what would have been his 19th birthday.
The Chinese Football Association acknowledged the incident and is expected to review safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The global football community has also expressed sympathy, with several clubs offering condolences.