French footballer Wanis Honsor dies aged 22 after cardiac arrest in training

Wanis Honsor, the 22-year-old Saint-Denis player, has died after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest during a training session.

The incident has left his club and the wider French football community in mourning.

Honsor came through the youth systems at Le Havre and Rouen before making his senior debut for Rouen during the 2023-24 season in National 1. His career was cut short while he was taking part in training with Saint-Denis.

French website Foot Mercato reported that Saint-Denis announced his death in a statement.

“With immense sadness and pain, Saint-Denis FC announces the tragic death of its player Wanis Honsor this morning during the training session,” the club said.

It added: “President Jonathan Albo, all members of the board, the coaching staff, and all the players from the first team and the Under-20 side are shocked and deeply affected by this terrible loss.”

The statement continued: “At this painful time, our thoughts are especially with his family, relatives and friends. Saint-Denis FC sends them its sincerest condolences and assures them of its full support during this terrible ordeal. Rest in peace, Wanis. You will remain forever in our thoughts and hearts.”

Honsor left Rouen in 2024 and subsequently had spells with Macon, Dieppe and Flers. He joined Saint-Denis in January, where he continued his career before his death.

His death comes as Spanish football continues to grieve the loss of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, who died last week at the age of 30 after suffering serious injuries during his side’s match against Andorra.

De Miguel was involved in a collision during stoppage time when Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono left his penalty area to challenge for the ball as the Tenerife striker began a counter-attack.

Tenerife said it was devastated by the death of its player and expressed its deep sorrow in a statement.

“We are broken with pain, lost for words because of the shock, and unable to believe that this is real,” the club said at the start of its message. It also expressed its full solidarity with De Miguel’s family, loved ones and all Tenerife supporters.

“There are no words of comfort, and nothing that can ease this overwhelming feeling of sadness,” the club added.

Tenerife then said: “We stand alongside his grieving family and loved ones, and alongside every member of the Tenerife family who are mourning this cruel ending today.”

De Miguel’s family thanked everyone who had sent messages of support and condolences, while asking for their privacy to be respected as they dealt with the loss.