A 16-year-old Red Bulls prospect died just days before he was scheduled to join the group, the club confirmed on Tuesday.
Éder Smic Valencia was killed in a automobile crash on Sunday in his native Colombia, while he was on vacation in Guachene, in the southwest half of the nation.
Valencia was days away from becoming a member of Red Bulls II — the group’s growth team — when the automobile he was touring in was concerned in a collision with a tanker truck, according to a number of reports.
Colombian newspaper El Tiempo reported that the accident occurred on Sunday morning when the tanker truck driver tried to improperly go in a passage of street that handles a excessive movement of heavy cargo.
The rising soccer star had been in a grey automobile when the tragedy occurred and he died at the scene.
Local authorities have opened an investigation into what brought on the accident.
Our ideas are with all of Éder’s household, buddies and teammates. Rest in peace.
Nuestros pensamientos están con toda la familia, amigos y compañeros de Éder. Que descanse en paz. https://t.co/eRLQY3ufZV
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 9, 2025
“Our thoughts are with all of Éder’s family, friends and teammates. Rest in peace,” the Red Bulls said in a assertion on Tuesday.
Valencia had performed with the NYRB U16s earlier this season and he was headed to the United States later this week to signal a deal with the Red Bulls.
He had been expected to play for the Colombian under-17 nationwide team at next yr’s South American Championship.
Red Bulls prospect Éder Smic Valencia, 16, was killed in a automobile crash on Sunday in his native Colombia, while he was on vacation in Guachene, in the southwest half of the nation. @NewYorkRedBulls / X
Valencia had stints with Cortuluá, Barranquilla FC, la selección Atlántico and Academia Alemana Popayán (AAFP).
“He had achieved nearly 80% of his goals,” Éder Valencia, the father of Éder Smic Valencia, advised El Tiempo. “He was a top scorer for every team he played for, was on the Colombian national team, and was about to travel to North America. It’s very sad that my son lost his life in a car accident at 16.”
AAFP had first announced his demise in a assertion on Sunday.
“We, along with his family, will honor his memory at the AAFP. He will forever be in our hearts,” the assertion learn.
More than 3,000 folks attended his wake in Guachené, El Tiempo reported.
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