Colombian prospect Éder Smic Valencia, 16, died in a car accident on Sunday in Cauca, just days before he was to join the New York Red Bulls II for a trial, the MLS club confirmed on Tuesday.
The under-16 Colombia team star from Academia Alemana Popayán was involved in a car crash in the southwest of Colombia, according to reports.
Smic Valencia guest-played with NYRB U16s earlier this year, the MLS club said.
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. https://t.co/eRLQY3ufZV
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 9, 2025
“Our thoughts are with all of Éder’s family, friends and teammates. Rest in peace,” the Red Bulls said in a statement.
His academy club said in a statement: “It is with deep sorrow that we report the passing of our player Éder Smic Valencia Ambuila (2009) in a car accident while on vacation in Guachené. We, along with his family, will honor his memory at the AAFP. He will forever be in our hearts.”
