Billy Vigar, an ex-arsenal academy player who was playing for Chichester City Football Club has died aged 21 after sustaining a brain injury during a match.
He sustained the injury while playing
Billy Vigar, a former Arsenal academy player, has died aged 21 after an incident at a non-League match which left him with a ‘significant brain injury’, per Sky News.
He was playing for Chichester City Football Club at Wingate and Finchley FC last weekend.
Vigar was hospitalized
The late soccer player was taken to hospital and placed into an induced coma after sustaining the injury at the match.
He then underwent surgery on Tuesday, September 23 but sadly passed away two days later on Thursday, per his club, who play in the Isthmian League Premier Division in the UK.
They announced the news online
The club said in a social media statement, “It is with great sadness that Chichester City Football Club has to confirm the passing of Billy Vigar.”
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“We request that his family’s privacy is respected at this most difficult time. Rest in peace Billy. Forever in the hearts of all at Chichester City Football Club.”
The player’s family issued a statement
The club have postponed their scheduled Saturday match against Lewes in the wake of Vigar’s death.
The player’s family have also issued a statement, saying, “After sustaining a significant brain injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar was put in an induced coma.”
They confirmed his death
The family’s statement, which was posted by the club, went on, “On Tuesday, he needed an operation to aid any chances of recovery.”
“Although this helped, the injury proved too much for him and he passed away on Thursday (25th) morning.”
The family is happy to see Vigar be loved
“The responses to the original update show how much Billy was thought of and loved within the sport,” Vigar’s family added.
“His family are devastated that this has happened whilst he was playing the sport that he loved.”
Vigar joined Arsenal at 14
The late athlete joined the Arsenal academy at the age of 14, before he earned a full-time scholarship for the 2020/21 season.
The striker left the Premier League side in 2024, before signing for Hastings then moving to Chichester only last month.
Arsenal put out a statement
Arsenal offered their condolences, saying in a statement, “Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that former academy graduate Billy Vigar has passed away.”
“All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time. Rest in peace, Billy.”
