By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Charlton Athletic have announced the tragic passing of academy player Ethan Ade-Oduwale, a highly regarded youngster of Nigerian descent who featured for the club’s U10 team.
In an official statement, Club Chairman Gavin Carter expressed the deep sorrow felt across the Charlton community.
“On behalf of everyone at Charlton Athletic, we are devastated by the heartbreaking news of Ethan’s passing,” Carter said.
“Our thoughts, heartfelt condolences, and full support are with Ethan’s parents and family. We kindly ask that their privacy — and that of Ethan’s friends, teammates, and the staff who worked with him — be respected during this incredibly difficult time.”
Academy Manager Tom Pell confirmed that the club will announce plans to honour Ethan’s memory in the coming days, with tributes expected to be held across all academy levels.
Ethan was described by staff and teammates as a joyful and dedicated presence within the youth setup, and his sudden passing has left a profound impact on the club.

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.