Brazilian footballer Jeferson Merli has sadly died at the young age of 27 after drowning during a swim with his girlfriend in Portugal.

The goalkeeper, who played for GD Caldelas, had gone swimming in the Homem River located in Terras de Bouro, a region in the northwestern part of Portugal.

Reports from Mail Online say that Merli went underwater and never came back up. The tragic incident happened around 6 pm on Saturday. His girlfriend quickly contacted emergency services when she noticed he had disappeared beneath the water. After hours of searching, his body was finally found at around 9:30 pm.

Merli was living in Braga, a city about 40 minutes away from where the incident took place.

His club, GD Caldelas, expressed deep sadness over his passing. In a touching message, they described him as more than just a player. They spoke of his strong work ethic, friendly nature, and the positive energy he brought to the team. The club had recently renewed his contract, highlighting their belief in his talent and commitment.

The statement said Merli would be remembered not just for his skills on the pitch, but also for the meaningful connections he made with those around him. They offered their sincere condolences to his family, friends, and everyone who had the chance to know him.

Originally from Vista Alegre do Alto in São Paulo, Brazil, Merli started his international football journey in 2019. He played for Uniao in Mato Grosso do Sul before moving on to clubs in Spain and eventually Portugal. He joined GD Caldelas in 2024, continuing to build his career abroad.

Jeferson Merli’s untimely death has left many heartbroken, with tributes pouring in from teammates, fans, and the football community.