Fortuna Düsseldorf mourns death of young Ghanaian player

German second-tier side Fortuna Düsseldorf have been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of their young Ghanaian player, Newton Opoku-Mensah.

The 17-year-old drowned in a swimming accident at a lake in Duisburg on Tuesday evening, the club confirmed on Wednesday. Despite desperate attempts to save him, Opoku-Mensah later passed away in hospital.

A statement from Fortuna Düsseldorf expressed the club's deep sorrow, saying: "The Fortuna family extends its condolences to Newton's relatives, the entire U17 team, and the staff at the youth development center."

As a mark of respect, all training and matches for the club's youth teams have been suspended.

Klaus Allofs, a member of Fortuna Düsseldorf's board, described the news as a "devastating shock".

"Newton was a young man living his dream, and to lose him so suddenly is incomprehensible," he said. "Our thoughts are with Newton's family, friends, and teammates at this incredibly difficult time."