Non-league footballer, 29, dies after drowning on Trinidad holiday with Wembley FC ‘shocked and saddened’
NON-LEAGUE Wembley FC have announced their goalkeeper Raheem Belgrave has died aged 29 after a tragic accident on holiday.
The star was back in his native Trinidad and Tobago when he drowned in a river after getting into difficulties.
A report by the Trinidad Daily Express stated that the football ace was swimming in the Paria River in Blanchisseuse on Sunday morning when he disappeared below the water.
Belgrave was part of a group of people that were hiking in the area.
Local police confirmed that he was eventually pulled out of the river by friends but that he was in an ‘unresponsive state’.
The report added that once his body had been brought out of the river that his friends went to the Blanchisseusse Police Station where an ambulance was called.
But sadly the former stopper had already passed away.
Authorities said a post-mortem has been ordered to confirm the cause of Belgrave’s death.
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Trinidad’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had stated on Saturday that rivers would remain open but ‘with serious restrictions’, including no alcohol or cooking.
Belgrave signed for Wembley FC, who play in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North, in 2018.
A statement from the club read: “It is with terrible sadness that we bring news of Raheem ‘Birdie’ Belgrave’s death.
“We are shocked and saddened and send our condolences to his family and closest friends.”
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association also said: “The TTFA extends deepest condolences to the family of Raheem Belgrave who passed away on Sunday.
“Raheem was a member of the Men’s National U-17 squad in 2008-2009 under then head coach Anton Corneal. He was the son of former National Team manager David Muhammad. May he rest in peace.”
Belgrave played for San Juan Jabloteh in his homeland during the 2016/17 season.
He was part of the squad that finished runners-up in the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championships in 2017.
He then signed for Queen’s Park in Trinidad in 2017 before heading to Wembley in 2018.
Belgrave played 35 times for Wembley during the past three seasons.
His former teammate Jaiden Babalola led the tributes on social media, tweeting: “Could not be a more worse start to 2022. Trying to stay positive.
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“To a brother, friend, teammate. To our football training sessions, gym sessions, cycles around London and train journeys.”
While another fan tweeted: “Shocked & saddened to hear this, met him a few years back at a trial match, kept in touch…such a great young man.
“Heartbreaking news. My thoughts & prayers go to his family & friends.”
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