MLS star Eduard Lowen’s wife dies aged just 29 after two-year battle with brain cancer...
THE MLS community has been left devastated after St. Louis City midfielder Eduard Löwen announced the tragic passing of his wife Ilona.
Ilona Löwen was just 29 years old when she sadly died on March 9 following a two-year battle with brain cancer.
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Ilona Löwen, the wife of St Louis City star Eduard Löwen, has sadly passed away after a two-year battle with cancerCredit: Instagram
Löwen took an extended leave of absence in the 2024 MLS season to take care of his wife following the diagnosisCredit: Getty
The news was confirmed by the club on Monday as MLS fans and the soccer world came together to share their condolences.
St. Louis City SC’s statement read, “After a two-year battle with cancer, Ilona Lowen passed away this morning, March 9, 2026.
“We grieve alongside Edu and all those impacted by this loss and ask the CITY community to keep them in your prayers during this difficult time.
“Ilona was a beautiful example of love, humility, and kindness and will be deeply missed.”
The family’s pastor, Marc Sikma, added to the statement, “Edu and Ilona built their life on faith in Christ.
“And we find comfort in knowing Ilona’s suffering is over and that she is now in the eternal presence of her savior.”
Eduard, 29, took an extensive leave of absence in the 2024 MLS season to take care of his wife when they first learned of the diagnosis.
The couple were left incredibly touched by the outpouring of love and support from the club and its fans when they first found out.
That same sentiment has carried throughout their time there, and once the news were confirmed, much of community shared their condolences.
The Seattle Sounders posted, “Sending love from Seattle to the Löwen family, their loved ones and the greater CITY SC community.”
Sporting Kansas City added, “Our thoughts are with Edu, the Löwen family and the entire St. Louis CITY SC community.
“Sending love and strength during this incredibly difficult time.”
They were just two of several MLS clubs who shared their well-wishes to Eduard and the Löwen family.
Several clubs in Germany’s Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, including his former teams 1. FC Nurnberg and Augsburg, also sent heartfelt messages in response to the news.
There were hundreds of fans in the comments who paid tribute to Ilona too in light of the tragic news.
One fan’s comments summed up the responses aptly, “So, so sorry. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew & loved her.”
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