Tributes have been paid to a 17-year-old footballer with ‘unbelievable talent’ who died during a match on Wednesday, as his cousin – Sheffield United player Rhian Brewster – was spotted last night poignantly pointing to the sky after scoring.
Kaylen Dennis, an under-23 player for Walthamstow Football Club, tragically passed away while on the pitch, according to a statement from the semi-professional London club, which said it was ‘devastated’ at the news.
On X this morning, the club said: ‘We are devastated to learn of the passing away of one of our U23 players, Kaylen Dennis during a game.
‘We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates and everyone that knew him.’
Last night, Sheffield United player Rhian Brewster, who is a cousin of the tragic teenager, pointed his right finger up to the sky in a moving gesture as he scored the first goal against Millwall at The Den during a Sky Bet Championship match.
Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield after the match, which ended 1-0 to the Blades, said of his ‘bittersweet’ goal: ‘I want to dedicate that goal to my younger cousin. He passed away earlier today before the game, so that’s one for him and the family.
‘It was a very tough time [for the family], but I played for him today, and I was very happy to come away with a goal, and that’s for him.’
In an X tribute, Scott Chickelday – who according to his LinkedIn profile is a UEFA licensed coach formally of Tottenham and QPR academy – described the youngster as ‘a talented footballer’ who was also ‘a great character and person!’
Tributes have been paid to Kaylen Dennis, a 17-year-old footballer for Walthamstow FC’s under-23 team who died during a match at the weekend
Kaylen’s cousin – Sheffield United player Rhian Brewster – was spotted last night poignantly pointing to the sky during his match against Milwall
Walthamstow FC said it was ‘devastated’ to learn that Kaylen had died during a match
He said: ‘Heartbreaking to hear yesterday that a 17-year-old boy I had the pleasure of knowing with an unbelievable talent passed away on the football pitch yesterday, Kaylen Dennis was not just a talented footballer but was a great character and person!
‘I am absolutely devastated for his parents – good friend of mine Kevin and Kaylen’s mum Natasha.
‘God bless Kaylen fly high champ.’
Walthamstow Reserves FC described Kaylen as ‘a kid with the brightest future’.
A statement said: ‘Words cannot describe how we feel about this news today.
‘A kid with the brightest future, beyond being a talented young footballer, he was a blessed young man.
‘Our football family will gather around his family during this difficult time.
‘Rest in perfect peace Kaylen Dennis.’
Scott Chickelday – who according to his LinkedIn profile is a UEFA licensed coach formally of Tottenham and QPR academy – described the youngster as ‘a talented footballer’
Billy Cove posted a tribute to to ‘one of the brightest talents around’
The youngster began playing for Ryan FC four years ago, according to a posted tribute
Hashtag United, a team in the regional isthmian league, recalled how ‘Kaylen scored a screamer against our reserve team just a few weeks ago’.
They added: ‘Hearing this news now is beyond sad.
‘Everyone at Hashtag would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Kaylen’s family, friends & everyone at Walthamstow .’
Among the many personal tributes being left, one described Kaylen as ‘great kid, great talent, so well mannered and respectful, always had a smile on his face.’
Ryan FC, which runs more than 30 teams from under-6s to seniors, revealed that Kaylen had begun playing for them four years ago.
In a statement, they said: ‘We are so upset and devastated at Ryan FC who Kaylen started playing for at 13 and watched him progress into senior football playing for our partner club Walthamstow FC.
‘His parents Kevin and Natasha have been so supportive and all our thoughts are with them and their family.’
MailOnline has contacted Walthamstow FC for comment.
