Goal.com · Apr 30, 2015
Belgian footballer Mertens dies
Belgian footballer Mertens diesSporting Lokeren defender Gregory Mertens has died three days after collapsing during a reserve match against Genk.
Gregory Mertens, the Sporting Lokeren defender who collapsed during a reserve game versus Genk on Monday, has died.
Lokeren announced the news on Thursday, expressing sadness at the death of the 24-year-old, who suffered heart failure.
A club statement read: "Much too soon, we say goodbye to Gregory Mertens. We are a football club. Everyone in and around the club breathes football. But suddenly something happens which we realize that football is just football. Today is such a time.