16-year-old Red Bulls prospect Éder Smic Valencia killed in car crash in Colombia

A 16-year-old prospect for the New York Red Bulls development program was killed in a car crash Sunday in southwestern Colombia, the club confirmed Tuesday. Éder Smic Valencia died at the scene after the vehicle he was traveling in collided with a tanker truck in Guachené, authorities and local media reported.

Colombian newspaper El Tiempo reported that the tanker driver attempted an improper pass on a stretch of road used heavily by cargo vehicles. Local investigators have opened a probe into the circumstances of the collision, the report said.

Valencia had been set to sign with Red Bulls II later this week after playing with the New York Red Bulls U16s earlier this season. The club posted a statement on social media offering condolences: "Our thoughts are with all of Éder’s family, friends and teammates. Rest in peace. Nuestros pensamientos están con toda la familia, amigos y compañeros de Éder. Que descanse en paz."

Club and local reports said Valencia had been expected to feature for Colombia’s under-17 national team at next year’s South American Championship. He had previously played with Cortuluá, Barranquilla FC, la selección Atlántico and Academia Alemana Popayán (AAFP), which announced his death Sunday and said the academy would honor his memory.

"He had achieved nearly 80% of his goals," Éder Valencia, the boy’s father, told El Tiempo. "He was a top scorer for every team he played for, was on the Colombian national team, and was about to travel to North America. It’s very sad that my son lost his life in a car accident at 16."

Local media reported that more than 3,000 people attended a wake for Valencia in Guachené.

Valencia’s death removes a promising young talent from the Red Bulls’ development pipeline just days before he was to join the organization’s second team. New York Red Bulls did not disclose additional personnel plans but reiterated condolences to the family, teammates and staff.

Authorities in the Cauca department, where Guachené is located, are continuing their investigation into the collision to determine the exact sequence of events and whether traffic violations or mechanical factors contributed to the crash. No further details about other occupants of the vehicle or potential injuries were immediately released.

The incident is the latest in a string of tragedies affecting young athletes in recent years and has drawn condolences from clubs and academies that had worked with Valencia. Memorial arrangements and any club tributes were expected to be announced by his former teams and the Red Bulls organization in the days ahead.