THE FIRST images have emerged of a promising football star who died after falling from a fifth story balcony in Spain.
Luke Freeman, 19, from Winnersh spent time playing for the Hurst Football Club, who have paid tribute to him online.
They said: “Mischievous kid with a beautiful left foot. World is a less colourful place without you Luke. Wish we’d been there to catch you. Your team.”
His former coach David Matthews, said: "We are all devastated at the news of Luke's accident. Luke seemed to live a charmed life - never really stressed at anything, yet things always worked out. Such a positive, fun outgoing individual with a million friends that loved him.
"Luke had been small and not the quickest - but had the most beautiful left foot and always had more time than the other players. Not the sort of player you expect to see coming through English football. Luke was Hurst's man of the match back in May 2018 in our league cup final - the one player who could handle the bumpy surface. He made it look like a training session."
The incident happened while the teenager was on holiday visiting the Lloret de Mar resort with friends when it is believed he fell from the balcony at around 6.20am on Tuesday, July 2.
READ MORE: Teenager dies while on holiday after falling from fifth floor balcony
National newspapers have reported that his friends were all questioned by the police and the incident is thought to be an accident.
A tribute from the Procision Reading Academy, where Luke previously studied, added: "Luke was an excellent student, intelligent, caring, polite, respectful and funny.
"Luke finished our programme with triple distinction, won two leagues, and came on tour to Portugal and Spain with us. He then went onto University where he was excelling again.
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."
His friends have taken to social media to pay their respects.
One said: "Heaven always seem to take the best people. Luke Freeman I am so grateful I got to meet such an amazing person, you filled the room with so much joy and made me laugh for hours with your infectious laugh.
“Thankyou for some of the most amazing Christmas’ and funniest of memories. You will be missed dearly.”
READ MORE: Tributes flood in for teen who died on Spain holiday
Faded, Audio a newly formed brand also joined in with the tributes, they said: "We’ve recently heard the sad news about Luke Freeman... it’s never nice to lose someone so young we remember Luke being at our first ever event having it off at front barrier for most of the night... hope you rave it hard in paradise young king... may you rest easy.
“we send our deepest condolences to Luke’s friends & family at this hard time.”
The football star spent many years being involved with Reading FC's Academy who have also been paying tribute.
They added: “The thoughts of all at Reading Football Club are with the family and friends of Luke at this time. We have lost a young footballer, a fan and a friend to the club.”
The teenager was staying in Costa Brava when the incident happened.
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