- Spanish police have confirmed the death of Croatian footballer Jakov Jelkic
- The 24-year-old had played for Swiss third division club FC Granges-Paccot
A Swiss football club has paid tribute to one of their players after they were found dead in the waters of a Spanish port city.
Spanish police confirmed Jakov Jelkic, 24, had been found on Monday in Alicante.
Jelkic had played for Swiss third division side FC Granges-Paccot.
The 24-year-old had played with the team in Spain last weekend and reportedly joined his team-mates at a nightclub in the Levante dock area in Alicante.
His disappearance had been reported after he failed to return to the team’s hotel the following morning.
Cristian Plazas, a spokesman for the National Police of Alicante, reported a body had been fully identified after being discovered on Monday.
Plazas told Spanish media an investigation has been launched, but Jelkic’s death is currently being viewed as accidental, with the footballer considered to have fallen into the sea and drowned.
The police spokesperson stated that cameras had seen Jelkic staggering out of a nightclub near the port, ‘having ingested some type of alcoholic drink.’
A tribute has been paid by FC Granges-Paccot following Jelkic’s death.
‘It is with great sadness that we learned of Jakov’s passing,’ a statement read.
‘Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates and all those who knew him from near and far.
‘His memory will forever be engraved in our hearts. A friend, a teammate, an inspiration to all.
‘Rest in peace.’
Jelkic’s family had issued social media messages in an attempt to locate him before confirmation of her death.
