Tributes have been paid after the sad death of 25 year old former Tottenham and Portsmouth player Anton Walkes, confirmed on Thursday.
MLS outfit Charlotte FC, who he had been playing with, have announced that the English defender has died, issuing a statement, with reports saying he was killed in a boat crash in Miami.
Daily Star write that Miami Police had confirmed Walkes was in a critical condition following the accident with Walkes reportedly found unconscious.
He received CPR from Miami Fire Rescue on Wednesday evening, but sadly his passing was confirmed.
‘We are heartbroken from the loss of Anton Walkes, a truly incredible father, loving person, and outstanding human being,’ sporting director Zoran Krneta said.
‘Anton embodied what it means to be a part of Charlotte Football Club and our entire community is grieving over this tragedy.
The impact he made in the locker room and throughout Charlotte will never be forgotten. We are thinking of his lovely family during this time and will support them fully in every way imaginable.’
Former Portsmouth and Tottenham player Anton Walkes has died at the age of 25.
RIP Anton 💔 pic.twitter.com/kmVALeKH4E
— Pompey FC Live (@PompeyFC_Live) January 19, 2023
In their own statement, Major League Soccer expressed their pain at the ‘tragic’ news of Walkes’ death early Thursday, following an accident in South Florida.
‘There are no words to describe the sorrow of everyone in Major League Soccer today after learning of the tragic passing of Anton Walkes of Charlotte FC,’ the statement read.
‘Anton was a talented and dedicated player who was loved by his teammates and fans. We extend our deepest condolences to his partner, family, friends and the entire Charlotte FC family.
‘MLS is coordinating with Charlotte FC to provide players and family members with the resources and support they may need during this tragic time.’
WALKES’ CAREER:
Walkes started his club career at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, where he made one appearance in the League Cup.
He was loaned to Atlanta United in 2017 being being extended to the end of 2017 in August.
Walkes was then loaned to League One club Portsmouth and played the rest of 2017-18 season, then signed permanently by Portsmouth in July 2018.
After two more seasons at Portsmouth, Walkes returned to Atlanta United in January 2020.
On the 21th of September 2016, he made his team debut in the EFL Cup against Gillingham. He was subbed in the 80th minute of a 5-0 win. Walkes was the captain of the group stage in UEFA Youth League three times, twice against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
He signed a two year contract extension with the club on September 27th, 2017. This will keep him in the club’s fold until 2019. Walkes was loaned back to Atlanta United after his loan spell.
Walkes joined Major League Soccer club Atlanta United on the 26th of January 2017. This was ahead of the club’s inaugural season. In the first game of the season, Walkes was a substitute and scored an own goal. The match ended in a 2-1 defeat against the New York Red Bulls. Walkes, despite his injury concerns, quickly gained his first team spot for the side and he resigned from the substitute bench. On the 5th of July 2017, he scored his first goal for the club in a 4-2 victory over San Jose Earthquakes.
His loan period with Atlanta United was extended to the end of the 2017-2018 season on the 1st of August 2017. For the remainder of the season, he regained his position. Walkes scored his second goal on the club’s 14th of September 2017 in a 7-0 victory over New England Revolution.
Walkes made 20 appearances in the 2017 season and netted two goals in all competitions before he returned to his parent club. He reflected on his time at Atlanta United and said that his loan spell there was what helped him get to first team football.
In January 2018, Walkes was signed on loan to Portsmouth. His debut goal against Doncaster Rovers (3 February 2018) was his first goal. He quickly established himself at Portsmouth. He made his club debut in February 2018. Since then, he was a regular in the right-back position.
He was able to keep this position until April, when he sustained a hamstring injury. Walkes made 12 appearances for Portsmouth and scored once. He returned to his parent club at the end of 2017-18 season. Tottenham announced that the move to Portsmouth had been made permanent.
Portsmouth announced on the 18 of July 2018 that they had signed Walkes to a two-year contract with an option for a third year at an undisclosed cost.
Walkes, who had been on loan to the club for three seasons, returned to Major League Soccer club Atlanta United on the 9th of January 2020. On February 18th, he made his club debut against Motagua in the CONCACAF Champions League. He started in the 1-1 draw.
Charlotte FC selected Walkes in the 2021 MLS Expansion Draft on the 14th of December 2021.
As mentioned, tributes have been paid after the sad death of 25 year old former Tottenham and Portsmouth player Anton Walkes…
@PeanutPompey: Terrible news. RIP Anton. Live your best life people, who knows what is around the corner. So sad. 😔💙
@PompeyMattD: Very sad news. Always enjoyed watching him play for Pompey. RIP
@danmace_: RIP, no age at all
@rob_johnson03: Even more reason to sack off any protests this weekend. Life is far too short to worry about these things. Rest in peace Anton
@JoshHodginsNew: I pray to everyone at Pompey sending my love from a Bolton fan 👊❤️ rest Easy Aaron
@CMParrish1: Tragic news. Thinking of all of his friends and family.
@Kimmybanks67: Rip Anton condolences to his family and those close to him 😪💙⚽️
@Pompey_1898: What terrible news, thoughts to his family 🙏🏻💙 RIP.
@ChrisElston1912: Puts a different perspective on things. Thanks for the memories. Thoughts with family and friends. Rest in Peace Anton
@StevieBPFC: RIP Anton, was a pleasure to meet you and talk to you. My thoughts are with your family and friends at this difficult time
@markjroser73: Omg that is horrendous news ! So so young and always did ok for us awful news on top of what’s happening right now with the club thinking of his family right now . How sad !
@PompeyKirbs: So desperately sorry that this happened to such a young guy, who brought so many people such happiness. Devastating news 🥺
@ArtistNdl: Awful news. Always put a great shift in. Part of a squad we all look back on fondly ❤️
@swanpfc: absolutely gutted to hear this RIP Anton thoughts to his family at this awful time
@AntonyIrv: Terrible news, he was very likeable, open, and honest when he was the guest at a Pompey Central Supporters meeting before he left the club.
RIP Anton taken so young thoughts with his family and friends 💙 pic.twitter.com/mZy1bID04k
— dale (@DHartrick) January 19, 2023
Horrendous news. Had a good conversation when I met him. Gone far too soon. RIP Anton Walkes pic.twitter.com/NkGjLFt25N
— Gary (@GaryDTrotman) January 19, 2023
RIP Anton Walkes 💙 #pompey pic.twitter.com/JWIxrGGvop
— Forgotten Pompey Goals (@Pompey_Goals) January 19, 2023
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