21-year-old French footballer dies after drowning amid heatwave

RIP.

The 21-year-old was with his three friends during the French heatwave where temperatures rose to 40°C in parts of the country this week.

Although it is forbidden to swim in the river, Kies and his friends did so to escape the heat.

Three people were later pulled to rescue by emergency services. However, Kies was the last to be found.

When Kies was eventually rescued he was declared brain dead following attempts to resuscitate him.

The talented footballer later tragically passed away in hospital.

During his career, Kies lined out for Guingamp B and Saint-Étienne B.

His former club, Guingamp, paid tribute to him on X: "En Avant Guingamp has had the sorrow of learning of the death of Kenzo Kies, a young player with the Club.

"A Guingamp native since last summer, he was playing this season with the reserve team.

"En Avant Guingamp extends its most sincere condolences to Kenzo Kies's family as well as to all his loved ones, and offers them its full support during this painful ordeal."

Another one of Kies' former clubs, Saint-Étienne, released their statement on X this Wednesday: "The Green Generation is in mourning. A resident of the Robert-Herbin Sports Center for seven years, a talented player and discreet young man appreciated by all, Kenzo Kies has lost his life in dramatic circumstances.

"AS Saint-Étienne extends its most sincere condolences to his loved ones as well as to those—teammates and coaches alike—who shared a piece of his Stéphanois journey. Kenzo, in the corridors of L’Étrat, no one will ever forget you."