British soccer star Billy Vigar has died after sustaining injuries in a recent game. He was 21.
“After sustaining a significant injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar was put in an induced coma,” a Thursday, September 25, statement from the Chichester City Football Club read. “On Tuesday, he needed an operation to aid any chances of recovery.”
The statement continued, “Although this helped aid any chances of recovery, the injury proved too much for him and he passed away on Thursday morning. His family are devastated that this has happened whilst he was playing the sport that he loved.”
The soccer club further requested that Vigar’s family’s privacy be “respected at this most difficult time.”
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In a follow-up social media post, the Chichester organization offered their condolences to Vigar’s family.
“Rest in peace Billy,” an X message read. “Forever in the hearts of all at Chichester City Football Club.”
The soccer striker was injured during Chichester City FC’s game on Saturday, September 20.
“Chichester City Football Club can confirm that on Saturday, September 20th one of our players sustained a serious injury in our match at Wingate & Finchley,” an X statement from the team read at the time.
Days later, the team confirmed that Vigar was hospitalized and placed in a coma.
“Billy received a significant brain injury and is currently in an induced coma in intensive care receiving the best possible treatment,” a social media update on Monday, September 22, read. “It is too early to say what the outcome will be and even if things go well, there will be a long road to recovery. Love from the whole CCFC family, Billy.”
Chichester City FC has since postponed their upcoming Saturday, September 27, game against Lewes FC.
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Vigar previously played on Arsenal’s youth team.
“Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that former academy graduate Billy Vigar has passed away,” a Thursday statement from the club read. “All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time. Rest in peace, Billy.”
The team also issued a longer statement on its official website.
“Billy joined our academy on schoolboy terms aged 14, after being scouted at his hometown club Hove Rivervale FC and excelled as a striker at Hale End, scoring 17 goals in his debut season,” the Arsenal website reads. “Quick, powerful and fiercely determined, his first season as a scholar was blighted by a serious hamstring injury, but he made up for it in his second, scoring four goals in 18 under-18 appearances and signed professional terms for the club at the end of that 2021/22 season.”
The statement concluded, “As well as his significant talent, Billy will always be remembered for his love of the game, pride at representing our football club — he once called the day he was spotted by our scouts as ’the most Important of his life’ — and a character beloved by teammates and coaches alike. Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time.”
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A post on the Premier League’s X account also memorialized Vigar.
“Our thoughts are with Billy’s family, friends and all those associated with Arsenal and Chichester City at this incredibly sad time,” the statement said.
One of Vigar’s last Instagram posts, shared in 2022, highlighted his time with the Arsenal youth team.
“Very happy to have signed my first professional contract @arsenal,” he wrote in July 2022. “Proud moment for me and my family. The hard work continues.”
