On Monday 30th December 2013, Akeem Adams brave fight for life came to an end.
The 22 year old Ferencváros and Trinidad and Tobago defender suffered a heart attack back on the evening of September 25th following a training session earlier in the day. Complications and infection led to him having his left leg amputated shortly after whilst being cared for at Budapest's Városmajori Heart Clinic. Further surgery was needed, after which an artificial heart was installed. Akeem went onto the waiting list for a transplant, which was scheduled for the 4th February 2014. On Saturday 28th December, Akeem had a stroke which caused bleeding to the brain. On the morning of 30th December, doctors announced he was clinically dead. His mother, Ancilla Dick, and his brother, Akini Adams after consultation, decided after signing paperwork and asking for a last hour together, that they would like to leave it in gods hands and wait a bit longer for a miracle. The miracle we all wanted sadly didn't happen.
Akeem burst onto the football scene at 16 years old when he was called up to play for Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly against El Salvador in 2008. Critics who were outraged at a schoolboy being selected ahead of professional players were soon eating their words as a man of the match performance in a 2-2 draw against Jamaica saw the team get an honorary reception for their efforts. Akeem went on to represent his nation at the 2009 World Youth Cup but after the death of his father, Renwick Adams, Akeem became withdrawn from football. Whilst playing for Point Fortin Civic, a series of trials were set up in Europe and after PSV Eindhoven decided not to sign him, Ferencváros saw enough to offer a contract which was signed on August 7th 2013.
Ferencváros are Hungary's largest club and also one of the most complex. The expectation and hostile atmosphere has seen the downfall of players in their 30's, never mind young hopefuls. Akeem played in 6 games of which 5 were wins and Ferencváros soon found themselves living up to the hype and into 2nd place in the league. One of those wins was against fierce rivals Újpest , which is one of Europe's biggest and most hostile derbies. Akeem never looked out of place and was calm and collected.
Perhaps his biggest achievement while at the club was becoming a fans favourite. As odd as that may seem, it really is remarkable that a young man from Trinidad, under the shadow of racism in Hungarian football, won the fans over. Ferencváros are notorious for their off field difficulties but after Akeem was admitted to hospital, a side of these supporters rarely seen came to the fore. Fans lit candles, made banners and flocked in their hundreds to give blood donations. Before manager Ricardo Moniz was sacked (After Akeem was hospitalised, Ferencváros had just 1 win in 8 games) he told Akeem to take his coaching badges when he got out of hospital as he would have a job with him wherever he may be.
His death has shocked all those associated with Hungarian football. The words I am writing are some of the hardest I have had to write and I don't think I could ever fully make those reading this understand what a loss he is to us. He united a rivalry between Budapest clubs Újpest and Ferencváros and lit up a league struggling for stand out players. Thank you Akeem.
Hungarianfootball.com would like to pass on our condolences to the family and friends of Akeem. God bless you.
Rest in peace warrior.