A Barnet FC youth team captain stabbed to death outside a south London bar on Friday night has been described as a “gentle giant”.

Oliver Kingonzila, 19, from Croydon, died after he was found outside a bar in Croydon with stab wounds about 1am on Saturday morning, leaving staff at the League Two club “devastated”.

Oliver rose through the ranks at Barnet to become captain of the under-18 team and under-19 sides, winning the Conference Under 19 Youth League last season.

The business studies student had been training with the senior squad and appeared in the Herts Senior Cup. He also played for the English College Football Association and captained an England side against Italy.

Barnet manager Paul Fairclough paid tribute to his young charge yesterday, describing the midfielder as "a gentle giant".

“Oliver had great potential," he said. "He was a big 6ft 2in prospect. A real gentle giant - apart from when he was on the pitch.

“He was a great kid and was on his way to becoming a professional. Everyone at the club is devastated.”

Fairclough and the club's directors learnt of the death just before kick off against Morecambe at Underhill, on Saturday.

Peter Edwards, Barnet's under-18s coach, said: "He was a lovely, polite lad. That's why I made him captain.

“He was an exemplary player who would have gone far in the game. He had never been in any trouble.

"He really is the last person you'd expect to die like this."

Speaking on behalf of Barnet FC, spokesman Dennis Signy added: "We were shocked to hear the news - Oliver was a young lad hoping to make his way in the game who has already played for the Bees.

"Our condolences go to Oliver's family and his friends."

A murder investigation has been launched and two 18-year-old men have been arrested in connection with the stabbing. One has been bailed and the other remains in police custody.

Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

DCI Damian Allain said: “We now know there was a fracas outside the E-Bar involving three people.

"We need to hear from anyone who saw that incident. It may be that one of them could also have been injured and may need hospital treatment.

"Either way they hold vital information to our ongoing investigation and I would urge them to call us at the incident room at Lewisham on 020 8721 4805 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111."

Oliver is the 26th teenager to be murdered in London this year.

Tragically, his older brother Herve died at the age of 27 during a football match earlier this year.

He suffered a suspected heart attack while playing in the Sussex County League in February and died later in hospital.

The Barnet U18 team will hold a minute's silence in memory before their game against Dunstable Town tonight.

There will also be a minute's silence at Underhill this Saturday before the senior side's game against Bury and the players will wear black armbands in tribute to Oliver.