TRIBUTES have been left to a promising footballer from Tottenham who died in a motorway car crash.

Theo Baafi-Mensah, 18, was killed when the Renault Clio in which he was a passenger veered off the A1(M) on Friday evening near Welwyn.

Mr Baafi-Mensah was travelling back to his home in Durban Road in time for a football match for Haringey and Waltham Development FC when the crash happened.

Lindsay Boyaram, vice chairman of the club, which plays its games at Coles Park, described Mr Baafi-Mensah as “one of the loyal players” with a bright future in the game.

He said: “He was good enough to play at a much higher level. His aim was to make it into professional football.

“He had the right attitude towards team-mates and opposition. He definitely had the right character. It is such a shame.”

Team-mate Michael Amisi described Mr Baafi-Mensah - known to friends as "Junior" — as “a loveable person who was always happy”, while one of his friends, Nana Asamoah said: “He was a role model who cared so much about people.

"He was a great footballer who definitely would have made it. He just wanted to be successful in anything he did.”

Mr Baafi-Mensah had attended St Thomas More Catholic School, in Glendale Avenue, Wood Green, and had trials as a full-back with League Two side Wycombe Wanderers.

Haringey and Waltham Development FC cancelled its games at the weekend and on Tuesday as a mark of respect, and is discussing plans for a memorial to him.

Friends also paid their respects on Facebook and YouTube, with one team-mate writing: “Sitting here in the changing room with the boys just wishing Theo would walk in.”

Andy Ralph, who is investigating the crash for Hertfordshire Constabulary, appealed for any witnesses to call police on the non-emergency telephone number 101.