'Very concerned': Football star, 24, missing after 'swimming accident'

Swiss international footballer Florijana Ismaili is missing after a ‘swimming accident’ at Lake Como in Italy.

Police have confirmed Ismaili has been missing since Saturday afternoon and searches are being carried out.

The 24-year-old was last seen at Lake Como and is understood to have been involved in a swimming accident before she went missing.

She reportedly dived off a boat she rented with her friend, but never resurfaced, according to Italian news agency Ansa.

Ismaili played for Switzerland in the Algarve Cup earlier this year and is a regular first-choice for head coach Nils Nielsen.

‘Very concerned’

A statement on club side Young Boys' official website said: "The officials of the BSC Young Boys have been informed that our player Florijana Ismaili has been missing since Saturday afternoon on Lake Como after a swimming accident.

"Searches by the police continue. We are very concerned and have not given up the hope that everything will turn out well.

"We are in close contact with family members and we ask for your understanding that we cannot provide any further information at the present time.

"We will inform again as soon as we know more."

Ismaili, who has played for Young Boys since 2011, made her debut with Switzerland's national team in 2014, and has scored three goals in 33 matches.

Fans flocked to social media with messages of prayer.

with agencies