Anton Walkes: Ex-Tottenham and MLS star cause of death revealed

Anton Walkes died when a boat collided with his jet ski in Florida as an inquest into the death of the 25-year-old ex-Tottenham and MLS star begins

• Anton Walkes, player for Charlotte FC, died in a boating accident in January
• The ex-spurs player died after a boat collided with his jet ski, an inquest heard
• DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

Anton Walkes, the soccer player for MLS team Charlotte, died after a boat collided with his jet ski in January, an inquest has heard in London.

Walkes was a passenger on the jet ski when it collided with a 46ft scarab boat near Miami Marine Stadium, Florida, on January 18 this year, Southwark Coroner’s Court heard on Wednesday.

Opening the inquest into Walkes’ death, assistant coroner Dr Julian Morris said that the impact from the collision threw the 25-year-old, a father of one, from the jet ski.

‘He was, on January 18, a passenger on a jet ski when a 46ft scarab boat collided with them – ejecting Mr Walkes into the water,’ he said.

‘He was wearing a flotation device and was in the water for less than a minute.’

English footballer Anton Walkes (left)  died aged 25 in a January boating accident in Miami, leaving behind girlfriend Alexis (middle) and their daughter Ayla (right)

Walkes died after a boat collided with his jet ski in January, an inquest has heard in London

Walkes was a passenger on the jet ski when it collided with a 46ft scarab boat near Miami Marine Stadium, Florida , on January 18 this year  

He said that Walkes was never fully submerged in the water.

Walkes was taken to hospital, but despite the efforts of medical personnel he was pronounced dead on January 19.

Dr Morris said that the soccer player had received ‘facial trauma’ from the collision, and that his cause of death was recorded as blunt force trauma.

Walkes turned professional in 2016 and began his career being nurtured through Tottenham Hotspur’s academy in England. 

London-born Walkes progressed through the Tottenham academy and made his debut and solitary appearance for the club in a Carabao Cup tie with Gillingham in 2016. 

Following his time at Tottenham he had loan spells with Atlanta United and Portsmouth, before going on to have permanent spells at both clubs. 

He last represented Major League Soccer outfit Charlotte FC in 2022.

Charlotte FC signed Walkes ahead of the 2022 season and he played 24 times to help them finish ninth in the Eastern Conference.

Walkes, who played for Charlotte FC, was involved in a boat crash in Miami in January

Walkes (left) was born in Lewisham, London, and emerged through Tottenham’s academy

He excelled as a youngster at Tottenham but found first team opportunities hard to come by

He had a loan spell and then a permanent stay with Portsmouth in lower leagues in England

At the time of the collision, Walkes was in Miami as part of a pre-season training camp with the club.

Walkes had a daughter, Ayla, with his girlfriend Alexis.

Charlotte projected Walkes’s image onto the exterior of the Bank of America Stadium following his death as fans gathered outside, laying flowers. 

Clubs across the league had also paid tribute to Walkes in the wake of his death in January, with player described as ‘an outstanding human being.’

‘We are heartbroken from the loss of Anton Walkes, a truly incredible father, loving person, and outstanding human being,’ Charlotte’s sporting director Zoran Krneta said in a statement.

‘Anton embodied what it means to be a part of Charlotte Football Club and our entire community is grieving over this tragedy.

‘The impact he made in the locker room and throughout Charlotte will never be forgotten. We are thinking of his lovely family during this time and will support them fully in every way imaginable.’

Charlotte FC owner David Tepper said: ‘Everyone at Tepper Sports & Entertainment is devastated by the tragic passing of Anton Walkes. He was a tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met. 

An image of Walkes was projected onto the exterior of the Bank of America Stadium 

Fans gathered outside Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium to lay scarves and floral tributes

One fan wept as he laid flowers outside Charlotte’s stadium in tribute to Walkes after his death

One tribute card said ‘thanks for the memories’ as fans gathered ahead of a scheduled vigil

‘Anton made those around him better people in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the highest standard both on and off the pitch. 

‘He will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with Anton’s family during this heartbreaking time. 

‘The club offers its full support to all those impacted during this period of mourning.’

In their own statement, Atlanta United, where Walkes started 64 out of 70 games there across his two spells, said: ‘We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Anton Walkes. 

‘An inaugural member of Atlanta United, Anton was the epitome of a great teammate with a personality that lit up every room he entered. 

‘He will be deeply missed by all of those who knew him.   

‘On behalf of everyone at Atlanta United, we send our deepest condolences to Anton’s family, friends and Charlotte FC.’ 

Teams across MLS held a moment of silence before the games on the opening weekend of the new season. 

Charlotte paid tribute to Anton Walkes on the opening weekend of the MLS season 

Walkes’s No 5 was lit up in the stands moments before Charlotte kicked off its new season 

At Atlanta, a tifo was held up showing Walkes from his playing days with the MLS team 

Fans held up signs saying ‘For Anton, forever’ as they attended the Charlotte game 

Charlotte had an ‘AW5’ logo on its shirt and around the stadium in tribute to his memory

Charlotte FC also wore an ‘AW5’ crest on its shirts this season – commemorating Walkes and his squad number.

Before kick off against New England, Walkes’ shirt was held up on display on the field while fans held up a banner that read ‘Anton Walkes forever’.

Over at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta, fans held up a tifo of Walkes in the club colors shortly before kickoff in the game against San Jose Earthquakes. 

Charlotte lost its first game of the season 1-0 to New England Revolution while Atlanta beat San Jose Earthquakes 2-1. 

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