Young British soccer player dies after suffering ‘significant’ brain injury
A young British football player, once in the Arsenal Academy, died Thursday after having undergone “an important brain injury” during a match during the weekend, his club announced.
Billy Vigar from Chichester City FC, 21, was seriously injured last Saturday during the club match at Wingate & Finchley FC.
“After undergoing significant brain injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar was placed in the induced coma on Tuesday, he needed an operation to help the chances of recovery,” said a declaration from the Chichester City FC.
“Although it helped, the injury proved to be too much for him and died on Thursday morning.”
The Chichester City FC is a semi-professional club playing in the Isthmian League, the seventh level of British football.
Vigar came by the Arsenal Academy, joining this organization at the age of 14 at the end of 2017.
“In addition to his important talent, Billy will be remembered for his love for the game, the pride of representing our football club – he has already called the day when he was spotted by our scouts as” the most important of his life ” – and a character loved by teammates and coaches,” said the Premier League side in a statement on Thursday.
“Our biggest condolences go to the Vigar family and their many friends at this extremely difficult moment.”
The injury occurred at the start of Saturday’s match at the Maurice Rebak stadium, Home of the Wingate & Finchley FC, before the competition was canceled after only 13 minutes of 90.
“Everyone linked to Wingate & Finchley FC sends their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Billy Vigar after his tragic death,” said the club.
“Like the rest of the family and the football community, the club is in shock from the death of a talented young man.”
Fans of the Isthmian League games this weekend will be invited to observe a minute of silence before kick-off to honor Vigar. All the league players will put on the black armbands this weekend.
