Wolfsburg midfielder Junior Malanda has died at the age of 20 , the Belgian Football Association has announced

According to reports in Germany..., the Belgium
Under-21 international died after the car he
was a passenger in crashed on a motorway
near Porta Westfalica in north-west Germany
on Saturday afternoon.

Bild newspaper said the two other people in
the vehicle had been taken to hospital with
serious injuries after the car left the road and
crashed into a tree amid heavy rain and
wind.

The Belgium Under 21 star joined the
Bundesliga club from Belgian side Zulte
Waregem in 2013
A statement on

www.belgianfootball.be read:

‘The football world today lost a great talent.
Junior Malanda lost his life this afternoon, at
the age of 20.
‘The Belgian Football Association extends its
sympathy to family and friends.’
Malanda, who joined the Bundesliga club
from Belgian side Zulte Waregem in 2013,
had reportedly been due to fly to South Africa
on Saturday night for Wolfsburg’s winter
training camp.

Wolfsburg have yet to confirm the news on
their website but forward Kevin De Bruyne –
a club-mate and countryman of Malanda –
wrote on Instagram:

‘So strange to hear your friend in the
morning and then hear this news. Lost a
great friend way to (sic) early. Rest in peace
my friend. You will always be around.’
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also
paid his respects on Twitter, saying: ‘RIP
@JuniorMalanda!! We lose a huge talent and
a great person!!’