Gregory Mertens passes away after Heart Failure aged 24

Belgian footballer Gregory Mertens has died of heart failure, three days after collapsing during a match.
The 24-year-old Lokeren player was given CPR during the first half of Monday's reserve-team game with Genk but did not recover after spending time in hospital on a life-support machine.

A club statement said: "The medical staff have done everything to save Gregory, but they finally had to acknowledge their impotence.
"Gregory passed away at around 16:30."

Mertens' condition had worsened since he was taken to hospital in Genk, with doctors giving him little chance of survival.
On Thursday his family agreed his life support should be switched off.

The former Belgium Under-21 international passed all pre-season health tests required by Europe's football governing body Uefa, and was judged to be one of the fittest players at his club.

Mertens joined Lokeren in the summer from Cercle Brugge and played 15 league games this season, as well as featuring against Hull City in the Europa League in August.

Another tragic loss, not the level of player Malanda was going to be but still a decent player with a long time left in the game. Dark days in Belgian football. RIP!

Very sad, 24 and the whole world at his feet. Condolences to his family.