Metz confirm first professional deal for Tahirys Dos Santos after Crans-Montana ordeal | OneFootball

Nineteen-year-old defender Tahirys Dos Santos has signed his first professional contract with Metz, months after being badly burned in the Crans-Montana bar fire.

The club said in a statement that the left-back has agreed a one-season deal, effective at the start of next season and running until June 2027.

A Metz youth player since 2014 at U9 level, he returned to action two weeks ago. He started on Saturday in the 2-1 win at Charleville-Mézières in National 3, and now hopes to step up to the senior squad in time.

He regards it as the culmination of years of work, sacrifice and determination to fulfil a childhood dream. The agreement comes 110 days after the Le Constellation bar blaze in Switzerland, which left 41 dead and injured more than 100 on the night of 31 December to 1 January.

Dos Santos suffered burns across 30% of his body while helping his partner, Coline, and spent months in hospital.

He thanked his parents for their sacrifices and offered support to those still battling, urging them not to lose hope. He recounts the tragedy in Une seconde pour renaître, due out on 7 May.

Source: L'Équipe