GERMAN club SSV Reutlingen have announced the shock death of player Luca Meixner.
The 22-year-old was found dead in his bed over the festive period.
Meixner broke into SSV’s first team in 2021 and has played for the club since he was a youngster.
A statement from Ruetlingen on Instagram read: “Last weekend we received the terrible news that our player Luca Meixner died unexpectedly on Friday, December 27th at the age of 22.
“The entire SSV family is deeply saddened and stunned.
“His teammates, all committees and employees mourn with Luca’s bereaved family and our thoughts are with his family, friends and companions.
“We ask that the privacy of Luca’s family be respected during this difficult time.”
Meixner began his career in SSV’s youth teams, breaking into the under-17 ranks in 2017.
He made his first-team debut four years later, going on to appear 100 times for the club and scoring 6 goals.
Germany football is currently in a winter break, with Reutlingen’s last game on December 7.
Meixner started the contest, playing 87 minutes in a 1-1 draw.
His cause of death has not been declared.
SSV have featured in the Oberliga Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany’s fifth tier, for the past nine seasons.
They currently sit 10th in the league, with 25 points from 20 games.
Clubs from across the German pyramid have begun to send condolences to Reutlingen and Meixner’s family.
Sonnenhof Grossaspach, a fellow fifth-tier club, wrote: “Our heartfelt condolences and lots of strength in this difficult time.”
Goppinger SV added: “Much strength to the entire club.”
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