This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
July 5, 2020, marked a tragic day for the football community as news broke of the untimely death of Derrick Otim, a 24-year-old Ghanaian footballer.
Otim, who had graduated from Xavier University, was visiting friends in South Carolina when the incident occurred.
According to reports, Otim drowned in Lake Keowee, a lake that has claimed over 30 lives in the past 25 years due to various tragedies.
Nottingham Forest Football Club, where Otim trained in its academy before pursuing further education, was among the first to pay tribute to the young footballer.
The club expressed its condolences to Otim's friends and family, stating that the thoughts of everyone at the club go out to them at this difficult time.
Nottingham Forest stars also took to social media to pay tribute to Otim, describing him as an individual who made people happy.
Forest star Matty Cash tweeted, 'RIP del, can’t believe I’m writing this. Such a top lad who always brought a smile to everyone’s face when around him, RIP.'
