UMVA has learned that the football world is mourning the tragic loss of Greece international Marios Oikonomou, who has died at the age of 33 after a devastating motorbike accident in his hometown of Ioannina, Greece.
The accident occurred on May 23 when Oikonomou's motorbike was hit by a car performing a U-turn, leaving him with severe head injuries that ultimately proved fatal despite nine days of treatment and surgery.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Oikonomou had been in an induced coma in hospital before his death on Monday, June 1, sending shockwaves through the football community and beyond.
Oikonomou's football career was marked by notable achievements, including earning six caps for Greece and playing regularly for Bologna in the Italian top flight after helping the team earn promotion to Serie A in 2015.
His former clubs have paid tribute to the talented centre-back, with AEK Athens saying that his career and battles on the pitch "speak for themselves" and that his unique ethos will be remembered by all AEK fans.
Bologna's official statement was equally heartfelt, saying "Farewell Marios, you left us too soon" and that he will "forever be in our hearts", while his first club PAS Giannina expressed deepest sympathy and condolences to his loved ones.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Oikonomou's death has sparked an outpouring of grief from the football community, with fans and players alike taking to social media to pay their respects to a talented young athlete who lost his life far too soon.
Sampdoria, another of Oikonomou's former clubs, posted a poignant message on social media, saying "Ciao Marios" and sharing a photo of the player in action, as the football world continues to come to terms with the loss of a talented and dedicated athlete.
