The Philadelphia Union announced on Saturday that their backup goalkeeper, Holden Trent, had passed away at the age of 25. The Major League Soccer (MLS) club shared the news in a statement, expressing their profound sorrow at the tragic loss.
While the team did not disclose the cause of Trent’s death, his family had posted on his Instagram account earlier in the week, revealing that he had been in the intensive care unit of a hospital.
“The Philadelphia Union is devastated by the heartbreaking passing of Holden Trent,” the club stated. “While he was a wonderful player and fierce competitor.”
Trent, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, was selected by the Philadelphia Union as the 28th pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft out of High Point University. Although he had not yet made an appearance for the first team, Trent had played in several matches for Union II, the club’s reserve team, during the current season.
In a show of support and solidarity, MLS released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Major League Soccer joins the Philadelphia Union and our entire soccer community in mourning the tragic passing of Union goalkeeper Holden Trent.”
The soccer community has been rocked by the news of Trent’s untimely death, with fans, teammates, and fellow players expressing their condolences and sharing memories of the promising young goalkeeper.
Trent’s family, friends, and loved ones have received an outpouring of support from the soccer community and beyond, as they grapple with the devastating loss of a talented and beloved individual.
The Philadelphia Union and MLS have not yet announced plans for a memorial or tribute to honor Trent’s life and contributions to the sport. However, it is expected that the soccer community will come together to celebrate his memory and offer support to those affected by his passing.