Niklas Feierabend dead: Hannover striker dies in a car crash aged 19

The team had high hopes for the promising young player

Fellow footballers and fans have paid tribute to the young hopeful on social media (Getty Images)

Teenage Hannover striker Niklas Feierabend has been killed in a car crash, the club has confirmed.

Police said the 19-year-old was a back-seat passenger in a car which veered off the road and collided with a tree on the early hours of Sunday morning. Two other passengers also died in the accident.

The footballer signed a professional contract in February but had yet to make his first-team debut for the club.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends in this difficult time,” read a statement on Hannover 96’s website.

“All teammates, managers, co-workers, fans and everyone else at Hannover 96 are shocked and saddened by this devastating news. Niklas, gone but never forgotten."

Football clubs and fans have paid tribute to the young hopeful on social media.

Feierabend had twice been an unused substitute this season and was considered to be a promising prospect for the team. Hannover’s reserve team game on Sunday did not go ahead out of respect for his family.

On Saturday he had played for Hannover 96’s youth team in a game against RB Leipzig.