Challenge League player Elia Alessandrini dies during the holidays

SC Kriens published the sad news on Friday evening on its website and on social media: Elia Alessandrini, the former player and captain, died unexpectedly on vacation at the age of 25.

Daniel Wyrsch / ch media

SC Kriens wrote on Instagram on Friday evening under the picture in black and white of Elia Alessandrini in the green and white jersey: “We are dismayed, stunned and mourn Elia Alessandrini. Our former teammate, captain and friend to this day. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, dear Elijah.”

Elia Alessandrini’s former SCK teammates comment with hearts and doves of peace. Including Ashvin Balaruban, Lino Lang, Mark Marleku and David Mistrafovic. FCL striker Asumah Abubakar posted a video showing him together with the deceased in Kriens. Below it writes “Abu”: “Rest in peace, my friend.”

SFL reports: “Tragically passed away”

Of course, the question that arises with every death is also asked in the comments: What happened? The Swiss Football League (SFL) writes on its website that Elia Alessandrini “tragically died during his vacation”. In circles of acquaintances there are reports of an alleged cardiac arrest in the water. This information has not yet been confirmed.

SCK President Werner Baumgartner answers our newspaper late at night about the sad news of the ex-player’s death: “I’m shocked and can hardly believe it.” And: “He was a really good guy!”

Elia Alessandrini joined SCK on loan from his training club BSC Young Boys in July 2019. In the previous season he had already been loaned from YB to FC Chiasso – and before that to FC Thun. A year later, in the summer of 2020, Kriens was able to take over the Berner with Italian roots from YB on a free transfer. He played a total of three seasons for SC Kriens. He played 54 games for the Kleinfeld club in the Challenge League and three in the Swiss Cup.

Elia Alessandrini also wore the captain’s armband for 29 competitive games in the green and white SCK dress. All games in the successful time under coach Bruno Berner. The last time Kriens captain was Elia Alessandrini on May 14, 2021 in the 3-0 home win over Winterthur.

Farewell to Kleinfeld seven months ago

The former Swiss youth international (U15 to U20) was then out for around a year due to an injury. In last year’s relegation season, Elia Alessandrini was only used in the last three league games. The central defender played the last game for SCK on May 21, 2022 in the 45 minutes of the second half against FC Winterthur, who celebrated promotion to the Super League in the small field after winning 5-0.

Elia Alessandrini said goodbye to FC Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy in the summer, where he could continue to work in the Challenge League. Until Friday, the anniversary of his much too early death at the age of only 25. (aargauerzeitung.ch)

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