Police in Netherlands have launched an investigation after Italian footballer Gabriele Gallani died in Amsterdam after falling into a canal.
The 24-year-old, who captained ASD Piccardo Traversetolo, died in hospital on Saturday morning after being rescued from the canal by emergency services.
According to Italian media reports, Gallani had been with a group of eight friends in the Dutch capital.
He was walking behind them in the Kloveniersburgwal district when one friend, Luca Ugolotti, noticed Gallani in the water and in distress.
Gallani was in a critical condition when divers located him in the water, with police, ambulances and an air ambulance having been called to attend to him.
Gallani was transported to hospital but died a few hours later.
Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward with any information that they had. They have already started examining CCTV footage of the area where he entered the water.
‘The detective is looking for witnesses who know more about how the victim ended up in the water,’ a police statement read.
‘Around 00.35 am, officers on the street receive the message to go to the Kloveniersburgwal. On site they find bystanders who say that someone is in the water.
‘Several firefighters also arrive on the scene and manage to get the victim out of the water, after which he is resuscitated and transferred to the hospital. The victim later dies in hospital.’
ASD Piccardo Traversetolo, a fifth tier side in Italy, posted a tribute to Gallaini on social media.
‘A silent leader on the pitch, an example for the comrades,’ the post read.
‘A boy with a kind and respectful soul. We will forever carry you in our hearts.’
Gallani was due to present his thesis in engineering at the University of Parma at the end of May, before starting an internship at Lamborghini.
