Quevin Castro, Former West Brom Midfielder, Dies at 25

Former West Brom midfielder Quevin Castro has died at the age of 25 after collapsing during a pre-season match in Portugal.

The Real Sport Clube player fell to the ground in the first half of a friendly against top-flight side Estrela de Amadora at the Estadio das Seixas in Lisbon on Saturday. The game was part of Real Sport Clube’s build-up to the new third-tier campaign, but it never recovered from the shock.

In a statement, the Lisbon Football Association (AFL) confirmed that Castro “passed away this morning during the pre-season friendly”, drawing a brutal full stop on a career that had only just begun to find its next chapter back in his homeland.

Real Sport Clube described the midfielder as a “beloved member of our sporting family”, adding: “Quevin Castro was much more than just a player; he was an integral part of our family, leaving an indelible mark on all those who knew him.”

Castro’s journey had already taken him across two countries and several levels of the game. Born in Portugal and shaped in the Sporting Clube academy, he moved to England and worked his way through the lower leagues, appearing for Cambridge City, York City and Notts County.

His break into the professional spotlight came in 2021 when he joined West Brom. Castro made his debut for the club in a Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal, a daunting stage for a young midfielder but a sign of the faith the club had in his talent. His second appearance followed later that season against Swansea, before a loan move to Burton Albion offered him more senior minutes and another step in his development.

News of his death hit The Hawthorns hard. West Brom said they were “devastated” and will honour Castro during their Championship fixture against Burnley on Sunday. The club will hold a period of applause in the 25th minute, a nod to his age, and the players will wear black armbands.

For a player who never became a household name, Castro’s story still cut across borders and dressing rooms, from academy pitches in Lisbon to league grounds in England and back again. Now the tributes replace the optimism of pre-season, and a career that once promised a long road ahead is remembered in a single, stark question: how can a game built on endurance feel so fragile?