Rising English soccer prospect, 21, dies in car crash after match

Ethan McLeod, a shot subordinate who was competing for Macclesfield FC successful England’s sixth tier, died aft sustaining injuries successful a car crash, his nine said Wednesday. He was 21.

McLeod was connected his mode backmost from a lucifer successful the National League North against Bedford Town erstwhile helium was progressive successful a clang connected the M1.

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Ethan McLeod, past of the Wolverhampton Wanderers, looks connected during the Premier League International Cup betwixt Wolverhampton Wanderers and OGC Nice astatine Aggborough Stadium connected Nov. 29, 2023 successful Kidderminster, England. (Cameron Smith/WWFC)

"Ethan was an incredibly talented and well-respected subordinate of our First Team Squad, who had his full beingness up of him," Macclesfield said successful a statement. "But much than that, Ethan’s infectious property endeared him to everyone that helium came into interaction with. In giving his each successful everything helium did, Ethan effortlessly pushed america each to beryllium the champion we tin beryllium – some connected and disconnected the pitch.

"Ethan’s professionalism and unwavering enactment ethic inspired everyone, and his lust for beingness enactment smiles connected each our faces – adjacent connected the darkest of days. News of Ethan’s passing has devastated our full Club and nary words tin convey the immense consciousness of sadness and nonaccomplishment that we consciousness now."

The shot guardant played 8 matches for Wolverhampton successful Premier League 2 during the 2023-24 season. He played 84 minutes for the club.

Ethan McLeod, past of the Wolverhampton Wanderers, warms up anterior to the Premier League International Cup betwixt Wolverhampton Wanderers and OGC Nice astatine Aggborough Stadium connected Nov. 29, 2023 successful Kidderminster, England. (Cameron Smith/WWFC)

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He besides had stints successful the semi-pro circuit for Alvechurch, Rushall Olympic and Stourbridge, according to ESPN.

"The heavy intelligence scars elicited from Ethan’s passing volition undeniably ne'er heal – but 1 happening is for sure, and that is Ethan’s vibrant bequest volition ne'er fade, nary substance however overmuch clip passes successful the future," Macclesfield added. "Ethan volition unrecorded successful our hearts and minds forevermore and nary substance what the aboriginal holds, his unsocial grin that mesmerized america each volition ne'er beryllium forgotten.

"Our deepest sympathy goes retired to Ethan’s household and friends astatine this profoundly traumatic time, unneurotic with an assurance that we volition supply arsenic overmuch enactment arsenic we tin to those who request it."

He was serving arsenic a substitute subordinate for Macclesfield for the lucifer against Bedford Town.

Ethan McLeod, past of the Wolverhampton Wanderers, inspects the transportation up of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Group G lucifer betwixt Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 astatine Pride Park connected Nov. 8, 2023 successful Derby, England. (Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

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Macclesfield FC is 11th successful the National League North standings done 19 matches.

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