Valencia CF has paid tribute to a former academy player, Jose Castillejo, who tragically lost his life in the recent flash floods that have devastated the region.
These floods are considered the worst Spain has experienced in decades, with the death toll surpassing 150. Authorities fear this number may continue to rise, as many individuals are still unaccounted for.
Jose Castillejo, who was part of Valencia’s academy and played up to their Under-19 team, was sadly among those who perished.
The La Liga club honored the memory of the 28-year-old on their social media platforms.
“We regret the death of Jose Castillejo, a victim of the Dana disasters,” read their statement. “He was part of the club’s Academy until his youth stage and has played for several teams in the Valencian Community. RIP.”
Another Spanish club, Eldense, which Castillejo joined for six months in 2016, also expressed their sorrow over his passing.
“We deeply regret Jose Castillejo’s passing at 28, a former blue-and-red player in the 2015/16 season,” Eldense’s message read. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
Throughout his career, Castillejo played for various other clubs, including CD Buñol, Paterna, Roda, Torre Levante, Vilamarxant, and Recambios Colón, contributing to the local football scene in Spain.
In response to the disaster, the Spanish army has been deployed to support recovery efforts in eastern Spain, with the region around Valencia suffering the most significant damage.
Valencia’s players Maximiliano Caufriez, Jesús Vázquez, and Thierry Rendall have also stepped up to help by collecting donations at Mestalla Stadium, the club’s home ground.
The extent of the destruction was highlighted by Spain’s meteorological agency, Aemet, which reported that Chiva, a town close to Valencia, experienced the equivalent of a year’s worth of rainfall within just eight hours.
Due to the severity of the flooding, Valencia has been forced to postpone two of their matches, including one with Real Madrid.
On Thursday, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also announced that all games within the Valencian region would be rescheduled.
This adjustment includes Villarreal’s match against Rayo Vallecano and Levante’s fixture with Málaga.
As a sign of respect, all La Liga matches this weekend will observe a minute’s silence in memory of the victims. Spain has also entered a period of three days of national mourning to honor those who lost their lives in the floods.
