Kenzo Kies, 21, dies after drowning in Rhone River as Lyon and Saint-Etienne mourn

Kenzo Kies, a 21-year-old former academy striker at Lyon and Saint-Etienne, has died following a drowning incident in the Rhone River on June 22. The young footballer had been declared brain-dead after being pulled from the water near the Parc de la Feyssine, between Villeurbanne and Caluire-et-Cuire, as temperatures in France soared to 40C.

Kies was among four individuals dragged under by a powerful current in an area where swimming is strictly prohibited. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 5.30pm. Two of those involved were pulled to safety without requiring medical treatment, while a third was successfully revived and taken to a nearby hospital in a stable condition. Kies could not initially be located; divers eventually recovered him from the river, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

AS Saint-Etienne confirmed his death on Monday evening in a statement posted on X. “The Green Generation is in mourning,” the club wrote. “A resident of the Robert-Herbin Sports Center for seven years, a talented player and discreet young man appreciated by all, Kenzo Kies has lost his life in dramatic circumstances. AS Saint-Etienne extends its most sincere condolences to his loved ones as well as to those — teammates and coaches alike — who shared a piece of his Stéphanois journey. Kenzo, in the corridors of L’Étrat, no one will ever forget you.”

The club has confirmed plans to honour Kies at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium next season, with a tribute to his life set to take place at the ground.

Kies began his footballing career in Lyon’s youth academy before moving to Saint-Etienne. After his contract at the club expired last summer, he signed for Ligue 2 side En Avant Guingamp, where he had been playing for the reserve team this season.

Guingamp also paid tribute, posting: “En Avant Guingamp has had the sorrow of learning of the death of Kenzo Kies, a young player with the Club. En Avant Guingamp extends its most sincere condolences to Kenzo Kies’s family as well as to all his loved ones, and offers them its full support during this painful ordeal.”