Club Deportivo Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel has died, the Association of Spanish Footballers announced in a statement.
The Spanish players' union, known as the AFE, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the forward, who served on its board of directors while playing across the country's league system.
De Miguel, known throughout Spanish football by the nickname Demi, was born in Madrid on September 21, 1996, and built his career as a persevering striker who rose through the divisions into professional football.
Tributes from the players' union
In an emotional farewell message, the AFE conveyed its profound grief over the passing of the footballer, stating that the entire union family, of which Miguel was and always would remain a part as a board member, shared deep sorrow at his loss.
The association emphasised the enormous void left by his death, pointing to his passion for the sport and his consistent commitment to defending the collective rights of footballers.
The union concluded its statement by sending affection, support, and solidarity to his family, friends, and teammates, adding a final message that he should rest in peace and would never be forgotten.
The Association of Spanish Footballers operates as the primary trade union representing professional and semi-professional players in Spain, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and handling player welfare across the national divisions.
Early career and promotions in Madrid
Born Jesús de Miguel Alameda, the striker began his football development in the youth academy of Club Deportivo Leganés in the Madrid region before making the transition to senior football.
He subsequently signed for Internacional de Madrid, where he scored nine goals in 33 appearances during the 2017-2018 season to help the club secure promotion to Segunda División B.
His playing career continued with stints at Club de Fútbol Fuenlabrada and Agrupación Deportiva Unión Adarve before he joined Club Deportivo Artístico Navalcarnero, another team based in the Community of Madrid.
At Navalcarnero, De Miguel demonstrated his goalscoring ability once again, contributing to another league promotion and establishing himself as a reliable reference striker in Spain's lower divisions.
Success at Castellón and move to Tenerife
A major milestone in his career came during the 2021-2022 campaign with Unionistas de Salamanca Club de Fútbol, where he recorded 12 goals and four assists in competitive matches.
His performances attracted wider attention, and in February 2023 he completed a transfer to Club Deportivo Castellón, embarking on one of the most successful chapters of his sporting life.
Over three seasons with the black-and-white striped club, De Miguel contributed to the team's sporting growth and helped secure promotion to the Segunda División, the second tier of Spanish professional football.
He scored 25 goals in total for Castellón, including three in the second division, fulfilling his ambition of competing in Spain's nationwide professional ranks.
In the summer of 2025, De Miguel moved to the Canary Islands to sign for Club Deportivo Tenerife, arriving with the aim of providing experience, hard work, and attacking presence to the blue-and-white team.
Dedication to players' rights
Beyond his performances on the pitch, De Miguel took on an active role in player representation through the Association of Spanish Footballers, serving on its governing board as a director.
His work on the union's board of directors reflected a commitment to the wider football community, advocating for the rights of fellow professionals and ensuring their interests were protected across the sport.
