Tim Nicot dead: Belgium footballer suffers cardiac arrest just two weeks after Gregory Mertens died in similar circumstances

Tim Nicot, 23, was a footballer for Belgian fourth-tier side Wilrijk-Beerschot

Tim Nicot, a Belgian footballer, suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for KFCO Wilrijk Beerschot on Friday 8 May, and died in hospital on Monday 11 May, aged 24. (Twitter/@KFCO_BW)

A second Belgian footballer has died from a cardiac arrest in the last two weeks after news broke of Tim Nicot’s tragic passing was confirmed.

The 23-year-old played for Wilrijk-Beerschot in the Belgian fourth-tier, and was featuring in a tournament in Hemiksem when he suddenly collapsed on Friday, according to the BBC.

Nicot was placed in a medically induced coma at a hospital in Edegem, but the club sadly confirmed his death on Monday morning.

The club tweeted: “KFCO Wilrijk Beerschot is in mourning. Tim Nicot has died. We wish family and friends strength.”

A full statement that appeared on the club website read: "Much too soon, much too young.

"This morning Tim Nicot died at Edegem. He was only 23 years.

"KFCO Wilrijk Beerschot are still searching for the right words to express our feelings, our sorrows. Because disbelief, dismay, powerless rage, too... they all fight for their place on the front row in the emotional rollercoaster that is currently blowing through our club.

"Tim Nicot suffered a cardiac arrest on Saturday during a game of football in Hemiksem, he was resuscitated and transferred to the hospital at Edegem, where he was kept in an artificial coma. When the doctors labelled his condition as ‘critical', it became clear how serious it all was, and how hard he would have to struggle to recover.

"He fought. He fought as 'a bear'. Lovingly surrounded by his family, supported by his fellow mates and his many friends."

The tragic news comes just two weeks after Lokeran defender Gregory Mertens died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a reserve game at the age of 24.