Tributes have poured in for a talented young Bermudian footballer who died suddenly in the United States over the weekend.

Alanzo Parsons, 18, is believed to have collapsed while playing for his college team in Boston on Sunday and later died.

The Devonshire Cougars star was part of the Bermuda Under-20 team that recently toured the Dominican Republic and Los Angeles.

Last night Devonshire Recreation Club’s president, Nadine Browne-Evans, described the teenager’s sudden death as a “sad and solemn” day for the club.

“This hits me from both sides, as my daughter and Alanzo went to school together,” she said.

“He used to frequent my house as well as be an ever-present figure at the club.

“Alanzo was fun-loving, but also a very upstanding and respectful young man.

“My own son looked up to him.

“He was extremely talented and had a very bright future ahead of him. It is a very sad day for us all and our thoughts go out to his mother and family.”

Dennis Brown, who coached Cougars between 2011 and 2014 as well as the under-20 national side, described Mr Parsons as a “talented, humble young man”.

He said: “Alanzo was a big part of the Triple Crown-winning team we had at Cougars. He had been part of the team since the age of 16, which speaks to his talent.

“On the pitch, Alanzo was a real hard worker and would do anything asked of him.

“He had a very humble spirit and was a respectful young man.”

Mr Parsons, a former CedarBridge Academy student, left Bermuda last year to study in Connecticut.

Mr Brown told The Royal Gazette that the teenager’s death was a huge loss to “his family, the Devonshire Cougars family and the Bermuda national team family”.

He added: “It is very sad news — we have lost a very young, respectful and talented young man.

“Alanzo was a big part of the Under-20s side on those two tours, he was always willing to learn and was never afraid to ask questions.”

Dean Minors, who taught Mr Parsons at CedarBridge Academy, added: “I am shattered. He and I had a very good relationship. He was my leader and encouraged the other boys to get the job done on and off the field.

“CedarBridge is at a loss. He was truly a student-athlete; a great example to all.”

Mark Wade, the Bermuda Football Association’s player development committee chairman, was the head of delegation on the Under-20s’ tour to the Dominican Republic.

“We are still trying to get our head around the news,” he said. “Alanzo was a quite, strong young man. He was very passionate about football and about representing his country. Whenever I saw him, he always had a smile on his face and was keen to know more about the game he loved so much.”

Yesterday afternoon the Progressive Labour Party extended its condolences to Mr Parsons’s family.

A statement said: “The Progressive Labour Party would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the family of footballer Alanzo Parsons on his untimely death.

“This young man, the captain of the Bermuda Under-20s National Football team, and a member of the Devonshire Cougars family will be missed. Our sympathies are extended to his family and friends and team-mates in the football community. May you all be comforted by your memories during this difficult time.”

A statement released by the BFA added: “The association is shocked and saddened to hear news of the passing of Alanzo Parsons. Alanzo was a representative of the Bermuda Under-20 team, and was a club player for Devonshire Cougars. Alanzo was passionate about the game of football and had a bright future ahead of him. We offer his family and friends our deepest condolences in this time.”