England World Cup star Jude Bellingham yesterday paid tribute to the three boys who died diving through the ice on a frozen lake.
The 19-year-old ace posted an image of grief-stricken residents gathered at a candlelight vigil and added: “Sending love and support to RIP families.”
The Three Lions ace returned from Qatar with the rest of the England squad on Sunday as the tragedy unfolded at Lake Solihull, West Mids.
Bellingham – who now plays for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga – started his Birmingham City career as an eight-year-old schoolboy.
He was born in Stourbridge, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley in the West Midlands.
Birmingham City Manager John Eustace, 43, born in Solihull, was among those who paid a floral tribute near Babbs Mill Park lake in the city.
The blue and white crown, the colors of the club, was accompanied by a card which read: “We send our deepest condolences and love to those affected by this tragedy.
“You are in our thoughts. From everyone at Birmingham City Football Club.
Mr. Eustace placed the tribute on the ground before pausing for a moment of silence and leaving.
A club spokesman with him said: “He just wanted to lay the wreath and cry.
“What happened is a horrible tragedy and the club just wanted to let the families know that we are thinking of them.”