Lokeren midfielder Gregory Mertens died Thursday, three days after suffering cardiac arrest during a football match.
The Belgian, who was on life support following the incident, died of heart failure at the age of 24.
"The medical staff have done everything to save Gregory, but they finally had to acknowledge their impotence," Lokeren said in a statement.
Mertens signed with Lokeren in 2014 and represented Belgium's national team at the under-21 level.
Teams from Belgium and throughout Europe offered their condolences after the news was revealed.
Rest in peace Gregory Mertens, you will be missed #RIP pic.twitter.com/tWiCYDS4w8
— RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) April 30, 2015
All at Chelsea are saddened by the death of Gregory Mertens. Our thoughts are with his family friends and @KSCLokeren. May he rest in peace.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 30, 2015
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of @KSCLokeren's Gregory Mertens at this sad time.
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) April 30, 2015
