Mats Grotenbreg dead at 28: Footballer & reality TV star who scored iconic goal dies after he’s hit by boat swimming
MATS GROTENBREG has died aged 28 after being struck by a boat while swimming.
The amateur footballer-turned-reality TV star was swimming in Middelaar, the Netherlands, when the fatal accident occurred.
Grotenbreg was hit by a boat while in the water, with local cops revealed a suspect has been arrested.
The centre-back famously scored the winner for fourth tier side USV Hercules against European giants Ajax in Dutch cup game in the 2024-25 season.
But he’s perhaps best known for his reality TV career, having featured on season three of the Dutch version of The Bacherlorette in Marrakech, and a show called FBoys.
Grotenbreg was most-recently playing in the sixth-tier of the Dutch pyramid, having come through the youth ranks at giants PSV Eindhoven and Vitesse.
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Ex-Netherlands star, and friend of Grotenbreg, Nicky Hofs led the tributes following his death.
Hofs, now assistant manager at Belgian side Royal Antwerp, said: “You were a star, far too young. We’re going to miss you, friend.”
Former Vitesse star Giovanni Buttner and ex-team-mate of Grotenbreg added: “No words for this…
“We played football together for six years, I wish his parents and family a great deal of strength with this terrible news.”
Grotenbreg’s old coach Gerrit-Jan Barten said: “This is incomprehensible.
“Mats was a great guy, always cheerful and enjoying life.”
Fans also flocked to social media to pay tribute.
Among hoards of fans shocked by his passing so young, one wrote: “Terrible. I met him briefly once, and he struck me as a friendly, enthusiastic young man with so many dreams.
“Unimaginably sad. Wishing strength to everyone who loved him.”