Lukaku, De Bruyne and Muamba lead Mertens tributes

The death of the Sporting Lokeren defender on Thursday - three days after he collapsed during a match - left many clubs and players grieving.

Figures from across the world of football gave their Twitter condolences to Gregory Mertens after the Sporting Lokeren player passed away Thursday.

The 24-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest in Monday's reserve fixture with KRC Genk and, after being resuscitated on the pitch, was in a medically-induced coma for days until his death was announced.

Former Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba was 23 when he went through the exact same situation in March 2012 against Tottenham, except he survived the cardiac arrest, and he passed on his respects.