Valencia have paid tribute to a former player who has passed away in the devastating flash floods that have hit the region.
The death toll has passed 150 in Spani’s worst flooding catastrophe in decades, with the count feared to rise as more remain missing.
Jose Castillejo, was on Valencia‘s books as an academy player through to their Under-19 team, was sadly one of the many to have lost their lives.
The LaLiga side paid tribute to the 28-year-old on social media.
“We regret the death of Jose Castillejo, a victim of the Dana disasters,” the statement read.
“He was part of the club’s Academy until his youth stage and has played for several teams in the Valencian Community. RIP.”
Spanish second tier side Eldense, who Castillejo spent six months with in 2016, also offered their condolences.
“We deeply regret Jose Castillejo’s passing at 28, a former blue-and-red player in the 2015/16 season,” Eldense wrote.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
Castillejon also featured for CD Bunol, Paterna, Roda, Torre Levante, Vilamarxant and Recambios Colon during his career.
The Spanish army has been called in to help with the recovery efforts in eastern Spain, with Valencia the worst-hit region.
Some of Valencia’s players have also provided assistance, with Maximiliano Caufriez, Jesus Vasquez and Thierry Rendall helping collect items at the club’s home, the Mestalla Stadium.
To put the levels of destruction into context, Spanish meteorological agency Aemet reported Chiva, a town near Valencia, had the equivalent of an entire year’s rainfall in the space of eight hours.
Due to the devastating flash floods, Valencia have been forced to postpone two matches, including one against Real Madrid.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also confirmed on Thursday all games in the Valencian region would be rescheduled.
This includes Villarreal’s game against Rayo Vallecano and Levante’s match against Malaga.
All LaLiga games this weekend will hold a minute’s silence for the victims of the disaster, with the whole of Spain entering three days of mourning.
