German World Cup-winning midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has paid tribute to all of those involved in the balcony collapse in Berkeley in which a fan of his club team died.
According to his friends, UCD student Niccolai Schuster was a huge fan of Bayern Munich, and had particular regard for Schweinsteiger.
Mr Schuster’s Facebook account features various photos of him wearing the Bundesliga champions’ red and white striped kit, including one where he is posing with the German international.
In a translated Facebook post containing that same photo, Schweinsteiger said he felt “very sad” when he heard of the tragedy which occurred earlier this week, and wished strength for Mr Schuster’s family and relatives at a “difficult” time.
He also extended condolences to all involved in the incident, in which six Irish students died and a further seven were injured.
Mr Schuster (21) was a grand-nephew of writer and playwright John B. Keane, and is survived by parents John and Graziella along with younger brother Alexei.