Ex-Arsenal youth player Vigar dies after 'significant brain injury'

LONDON - Former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar has died from a significant brain injury suffered during an incident in an English semi-professional league match, reported PA Media/dpa.

Media reports stated Chichester City's Vigar, 21, collided with a concrete wall in last weekend’s seventh-tier game at Wingate and Finchley when he was trying to keep the ball from going off the pitch.

After being taken to the hospital and placed in an induced coma, Vigar had surgery on Tuesday aimed at helping his recovery, but he died on Thursday.

Chichester has postponed Saturday’s match against Lewes.

A statement from Vigar’s family, posted by the club, read: "After sustaining a significant brain injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar was put in an induced coma.

"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 responses to the original update show how much Billy was thought of and loved within the sport. His family are devastated that this has happened while he was playing the sport that he loved.”

Vigar joined Arsenal’s academy on schoolboy terms aged 14, and the young forward went on to earn a full-time scholarship for the 2020-21 season. He appeared for the Gunners in the EFL Trophy and left the club in 2024.

"Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that former academy graduate Billy Vigar has passed away,” the Premier League club said in a statement.

"All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time. Rest in peace, Billy.” - BERNAMA