Quevin Castro, West Bromwich Albion Midfielder, Passes Away

West Bromwich Albion is in mourning after former midfielder Quévin Castro died having collapsed on the pitch during a pre-season friendly in Portugal.

The 25-year-old was playing for Real Sport Clube, a lower-division side in Portuguese football, in a friendly against Estrela da Amadora on Saturday, August 22, when he suddenly collapsed. The Lisbon Football Association and Real Sport Clube later confirmed on social media that Castro had died.

At just 25, his career was still being built. It ended in an instant.

“We are devastated to learn of the untimely passing of our former player Quevin Castro,” West Brom said in a statement, posted alongside a photograph of the Portuguese midfielder proudly holding the Premier League Cup trophy from his time with the club’s under-23s.

Born in Portugal, Castro broke into West Brom’s first team in 2021, making his senior debut in a Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal. He went on to feature in the Sky Bet Championship the following year, appearing against Swansea City.

His most memorable moment in Albion colours came with the club’s under-23s. Castro scored in the Premier League Cup final against Wolverhampton Wanderers, a tense contest that went all the way to a penalty shootout before West Brom lifted the trophy. That image of him with the cup is now part of the club’s public tribute.

West Brom, relegated from the Premier League in 2021, honoured Castro during their home game at The Hawthorns against Burnley on Sunday, August 23. Players wore black armbands, and the stadium paused for a celebration of life in the 25th minute. Supporters rose to applaud, marking both his age and his short spell in Albion colours with a sustained ovation.

“The thoughts of everyone at Albion are with Quevin’s loved ones at this desperately sad time,” the club said on its website.

No cause of death has been made public.

Castro had only joined Real Sport Clube this summer, the latest stop in a career that had taken him across the English football pyramid. After leaving West Brom, he spent time with Burton, Notts County, Gateshead, York City, King’s Lynn, Chippenham, Cambridge City and Eastbourne.

Now, instead of talking about his next move or his potential, clubs and supporters are left to talk about memories, tributes, and a career – and a life – cut painfully short.