Photo Credit: Getty Images
French football is mourning the loss of 21-year-old player Kenzo Kies, who died after being pulled from the Rhône River near Lyon earlier this week.
Kies, who played for En Avant Guingamp in France's second division, had been in critical condition since Monday. Emergency responders recovered him from the river after an extensive search and he was taken to hospital, where he later died.
The incident occurred during a period of intense heat across France. According to reports, Kies and three friends entered the river near Lyon in an attempt to cool off as temperatures climbed to around 40 degrees Celsius in some regions of the country.
Emergency services managed to rescue three people from the water, but Kies was the last person to be located. Despite efforts to save him, he was unable to recover from the ordeal.
His death comes amid a wider public safety concern linked to the ongoing heatwave. Earlier this week, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said that 40 people had lost their lives in heatwave-related drowning incidents across France since last Thursday.
Kies was regarded as a promising young footballer. Before joining Guingamp in 2024, he developed through the youth academies of Olympique Lyonnais and AS Saint-Étienne. At Guingamp, he was playing with the club's reserve side as he continued his development.
In a statement shared on social media, Guingamp expressed its sorrow at the news of his passing.
"Guingamp has had the sorrow of learning of the death of Kenzo Kies, a young player with the club," the team said, adding that it would provide its full support to his family during what it described as a painful time.
Saint-Étienne also paid tribute to the former academy player, describing him as a talented footballer and a quiet young man who was respected by teammates, coaches and staff.
The club extended its condolences to his family, friends and everyone who had been part of his football journey. It added that those who knew him at the club would never forget him.
Saint-Étienne has also confirmed that plans are being made to honour Kies at the start of next season at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
