SERIE B star Matthias Verreth has returned to Belgium after the tragic death of his one-year-old son.
Verreth, who had just joined Italian second-tier side Bari, rushed home to be by his family’s side after hearing the news.
Verreth was taking part in pre-season training with Bari, who have now cancelled the rest of the camp in a sign of mourning.
Bari’s friendly against Cavese has also been cancelled.
Verreth’s 14-month-old son Elliot Charles passed away after a short illness on Sunday.
He was reportedly admitted to hospital with virus-like symptoms two days before his death.
After hearing the news, the 27-year-old was driven to Fiumicino airport by Bari president Luigi De Laurentiis on Sunday afternoon.
Verreth’s wife Séli Muyabo was back home in Belgium with the couple’s three-year-old daughter.
Bari expressed their sympathies in a touching tribute on the club’s website.
It read: “We are speechless and deeply shocked. We express our deepest condolences to Matthias Verreth and his family in one of the most terrible moments one can experience.
“President Luigi De Laurentiis, the technical staff, the entire team, the management and the red and white collaborators stand with Matthias and his family in one of the most terrible moments that a parent and a human being can experience.
“We ask all the fans to join Matthias in spirit and emotion, to his wife, to their firstborn daughter and to all their loved ones in this time of terrible grief.”
Verreth spent 12 years in PSV’s youth academy and also played for club’s reserves, making one appearance for the first team in 2018.
He then made 30 appearances for Belgian side Waasland-Beveren, in-between a season-long loan move to Kolding.
In 2022, the winger moved back to the Netherlands for two years, first joining FC Eindhoven on a six month loan before signing a two-year deal at Willem II.
His first move to Italy came with Serie B side Brescia in 2024, before joining Bari on a three-year-deal this month.
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