French footballer Kenzo Kies has died after drowning in the Rhône. The 21-year-old Guingamp player was rescued by firefighters on Monday in critical condition and later died in hospital.
Kies and three friends had entered the river near Lyon to cool off amid intense heat, with temperatures in parts of France reaching 40C this week. Emergency services brought three people to safety; Kies was the last to be found.
Since last Thursday, 40 heatwave-related drownings have been recorded in France, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said earlier this week.
Kies came through the youth ranks at Lyon and Saint-Étienne before joining Guingamp last year, where he played for the reserve side. Guingamp said it was deeply saddened by his death and pledged full support to his family during this painful time. Saint-Étienne said its academy was in mourning, remembering Kies as a talented, modest young man appreciated by all, and extended condolences to his loved ones, teammates, and coaches.
Saint-Étienne told BBC Sport it is planning a tribute to Kies at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium at the start of next season.