Billy Vigar, former Arsenal youth player and Chichester FC player, died on Thursday after suffering a “serious brain injury” in a match last weekend.
Vigar, 21, suffered a blow to the head from a wall in Saturday’s match against Finchley in the Isthmian League Premier Division, the seventh tier of English football.
“After suffering a serious brain injury on Saturday, Billy Vigar was placed in an induced coma. On Tuesday, he needed surgery to increase his chances of recovery. Although this helped, the injury was too much for him and he passed away on Tuesday morning,” his family said in a statement.
Vigar joined Arsenal’s youth academy at the age of fourteen and spent seven years there, playing alongside fellow Gunners youngsters such as Charles Sagoe Jr, Remy Mitchell, Omari Hutchinson, Charlie Patino and Brook Norton-Cuffy.
“In addition to his considerable talent, Billy will always be remembered for his love of the game, his pride in representing this club – he once said that the day we selected him was the most important day of his life – and for his personality, beloved by all his teammates and coaches. Our condolences are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time,” Arsenal said in a statement.