Former Royal Antwerp and Southampton youth forward Victor Udoh has died at the age of 21, sparking an emotional tribute from his former teammate Pierre Dwomoh, who shared his grief and shock after learning of the news.
Dwomoh also revealed on Instagram how he first received the heartbreaking confirmation and struggled to process it.
“I woke up to it on Tuesday morning. At first you think something like this happens in your sleep, until you read the message thoroughly and realize: this sh*t is real. Some of Victor's relatives I spoke to confirmed his death," he was quoted as saying by Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.
The Belgian-Ghanaian midfielder explained that he had remained in close contact with Udoh in recent weeks as both young players were navigating uncertain career paths while searching for new opportunities ahead of the summer transfer window.
“Victor, just like me, was looking for a new club this summer. A few days ago, I asked about his holiday plans. I am going to Morocco and combining that trip with a training camp I invited him to, but he told me that he was working hard in Nigeria.”
Dwomoh reflected on the friendship they formed during their time together at Royal Antwerp, noting how quickly they bonded despite coming from different backgrounds and countries.
“In the summer of 2024, I briefly returned from RWDM to Antwerp and sat at the dining table with Victor. A Nigerian and a Ghanaian, it just clicked.”
He also paid tribute to Udoh’s talent and playing style, describing him as a gifted attacker with strong technical qualities and determination to succeed at the highest level.
“He was fast, had an incredibly sharp dribble, and a strong mentality.”
Dwomoh further reflected on the challenges both players faced in European football, particularly the difficulty of establishing themselves after spells in England, where opportunities can be limited for young talents.
“But a bad spell doesn’t mean it’s game over with a football career. We both spent time in England as well (Udoh at Southampton, Dwomoh at Watford, ed.). We sometimes talked about how difficult it is to break through there without a big name.”
In his final message, Dwomoh expressed deep sorrow while remembering Udoh as a humble and joyful presence, hoping his friend did not suffer in his final moments.
“Victor still had unwavering faith in his football career, but it was not meant to be. I hope one thing: that he did not have to suffer. Victor was a quiet, cheerful, wonderful guy.”
Wale Adejumo
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