Non-league football teams that midfielder Quevin Castro played for as he progressed through the ranks have paid tribute to him, after he collapsed and died during a match in Portugal.

The 25-year-old was born in Portugal but grew up in Thetford, Norfolk, and he played for his local team as well as others in Suffolk and in Cambridge, before signing for West Bromwich Albion in 2021.

Castro was playing for Real Sport Clube in a friendly against Estrela de Amadora in Lisbon when the incident happened on Saturday.

Thetford Town FC chairman Nigel Armes, who nurtured Castro's early career, remembered him as an "immensely talented" teenager, and a boy to whom "football was everything".

Armes said Castro had played for the Norfolk non-league side since the age of 16.

"Quevin was basically from a Thetford family, a large family in Thetford. His brothers... they all played for Thetford Town at some point."

He recalled Castro "had immense talent, but he also had immense character and was a very cool, very polite, lovely person".

"Football was everything - and if there's a message to go out to any of the younger people it's take a leaf out of Quevin's book, because he never gave up."

Castro joined Championship side West Brom in 2021 and made his debut for the club against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.

"He went to loads of clubs but he was always trying to better himself, and a fantastic moment when he came out at West Brom v Arsenal, he was absolutely fantastic," said Armes.

"He was determined, no matter where he went, whether it be in Portugal or the UK or whether it be local for our little clubs, he always wanted to improve himself."

He said the club and the town were "absolutely shocked" to hear of his sudden death.

"A matter of four weeks ago he was training with our first team in Thetford, just like one of the lads."

Castro made appearances for a number of East Anglian clubs during his career, many of whom paid their own tributes to their former player.

King's Lynn FC posted on Facebook to say the club was mourning the "tragic passing" of Castro.

Cambridge City FC wrote: "We are devastated to hear that our former player Quevin Castro has passed away aged just 25. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Cambridge City are with Quevin's family and friends at this terrible time."

Suffolk club Bury Town also said it was "deeply saddened to learn of the loss of former Town man Quevin Castro".

Armes added: "Quevin will be in the forefront of our minds for the game.

"We will be making tribute to Quevin as an ex-player, as an ex-person from the town and more importantly, as a fantastic human being."

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.