Clubs mourn tragic loss of Castro

By Jon Couch

COLLAPSE: Quevin Castro

Non-League clubs are mourning the death of much-loved midfielder Quevin Castro, who collapsing during a pre-season match in Portugal at the age of just 25.

Castro fell to the ground during the first half of third-tier Real Sport Clube’s friendly against top-flight side Estrela de Amadora at the Estadio das Seixas in Lisbon yesterday.

Portuguese-born Castro played in the academy at Sporting Clube before moving to England, growing up in Thetford, Norfolk.

Two years with his local club Thetford Town began a journey which saw him turn out for the likes of Mildenhall Town, Leiston, Bury Town and Norwich CBS, while trialling at a number of clubs before earning a deal with Championship club West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2021.

There he made two senior appearances in two years – taking in loan spells at Burton Albion, Notts County and Gateshead along the way – before signing for National League side York City in June 2023.

A loan spell at King’s Lynn Town followed before his York contract was cancelled in May 2024 and he moved to Chippenham Town, but Castro lasted just five months with the Bluebirds and brief spells at Isthmian North club Cambridge City and then Eastbourne Borough, starting as recently as March, led him back to Portugal this summer.

All of Castro’s former clubs paid tribute on social media last night with Gateshead commenting: “We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of former player, Quevin Castro.

“Quevin joined Gateshead on loan from West Brom during the 2022/23 season, appearing twice and immediately showing his reputation for flair and skill on the ball. Rest easy, Quevin.”