Emmanuel Ochayi
Tragedy struck Bahia de Feira on Wednesday afternoon as Deon, a prominent forward, tragically lost his life during a routine training session at Arena Cajueiro in Feira de Santana, situated approximately 100 kilometers away from Salvador.
Shockingly, Deon, the 36-year-old prolific goal scorer, suffered a sudden and fatal heart attack while out on the field. Despite immediate medical attention provided by the team’s medical staff, his life could not be saved.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe sports community mourns the loss of José Aldean Oliveira Neto, known widely by his nickname, Deon. He had marked his entrance into the professional soccer scene with Bahia and had proudly represented other Bahian soccer clubs, including Fluminense de Feira, Juazeirense, Atlético de Alagoinhas, and Jacobina.
This unforeseen tragedy has cast a somber mood over Brazilian soccer. The Bahia Football Federation (FBF) issued a statement confirming that Deon’s passing was due to a heart attack. Both the CBF and Bahia, the club where Deon initially launched his professional career, expressed their heartfelt condolences on social media in the wake of this heartbreaking news.
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Deon had been an integral part of Tremendão for his sixth consecutive season. Throughout 2023, the accomplished striker made 23 appearances, scoring five goals and contributing one assist to the team’s efforts.
In his most recent match against Potiguar, just last Saturday during the Series D playoffs, Bahia de Feira emerged victorious in a penalty shootout, securing their advancement to the national competition’s round of 16.
Despite this tragedy, the team is determined to honor Deon’s memory by continuing their preparations for the upcoming match. Authorities have confirmed that the scheduled match will proceed as planned.
