Metz Sign 19-Year-Old Tahirys Dos Santos to First Pro Deal Months After Swiss Bar Fire

The move signals Metz’s faith in a homegrown defender during a bruising season at the foot of Ligue 1.

Overview

FC Metz announced a one-year professional deal for 19-year-old Tahirys Dos Santos nine days after his return with the club’s reserves.
The defender survived the New Year’s Day bar fire in Crans-Montana that killed 41 and injured more than 100, suffering severe burns to his back, face, hands, and arms.
He underwent a skin graft during treatment and has kept up rehabilitation that enabled his comeback.
A Metz academy player since age eight, he captained the reserves this season, trained with the first team, and earned a French Cup call-up in December.
His girlfriend, Coline, was evacuated to a hospital in Belgium, spent three weeks in a coma, and underwent three surgeries as she continues to recover.