Former Arsenal player dies at 21

Former Arsenal player, Billy Vigar has tragically died astatine the property of 21.

Chichester City guardant and erstwhile Arsenal player, Billy Vigar has died astatine the property of 21 pursuing a terrible encephalon wounded sustained during a lucifer past Saturday.

The incidental occurred successful the Isthmian League fixture against Wingate & Finchley, which was called disconnected conscionable 13 minutes aft kickoff.

In a statement, Chichester confirmed, “After suffering a large encephalon wounded past weekend, Billy was placed successful an induced coma. He underwent country connected Tuesday to springiness him the champion accidental of recovery, but sadly, contempt these efforts, the wounded proved excessively terrible and helium passed distant connected Thursday morning.”

The club, reflecting connected the outpouring of enactment earlier successful the week, added, “The messages we received aft our archetypal update showed the heavy respect and affection radical had for Billy. His household are heartbroken that this calamity happened portion helium was playing the athletics helium loved truthful much.”

Vigar began his travel with Arsenal’s academy successful December 2017 astatine the property of 14, signing his archetypal nonrecreational woody successful July 2022.

During his clip with the Gunners, helium had indebtedness spells astatine Derby County, wherever helium featured for the under-21s, and aboriginal astatine Eastbourne Borough.

He joined Hastings United connected a escaped transportation successful the summertime of 2024 earlier moving to Chichester up of the existent campaign. The nine has since postponed Saturday’s location crippled against Lewes.

Arsenal besides paid tribute to their erstwhile player, describing him arsenic “quick, almighty and fiercely determined.”

In their statement, the nine recalled however Vigar was scouted from Hove Rivervale FC and made an contiguous interaction astatine Hale End, scoring 17 goals successful his archetypal season.

He earned a assistance successful 2020, joining a cohort that included Charles Sagoe Jr, Omari Hutchinson, Charlie Patino, and Brook Norton-Cuffy.

Vigar went connected to vie successful some the PL2 and the EFL Trophy, impressing with his adaptability by covering assorted attacking roles and adjacent stepping successful defensively erstwhile required.

Arsenal wrote, “Billy volition ever beryllium remembered for his passionateness for football, his pridefulness successful wearing our badge, and his infectious personality. He erstwhile described the time helium was discovered by our scouts arsenic ‘the astir important time of his life.’ He was loved by teammates and coaches alike. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the Vigar household and his friends during this devastating time.”

Derby County besides expressed their condolences connected societal media, “Everyone astatine Derby County is profoundly saddened by the passing of Billy Vigar. Billy spent the second portion of the 2022/23 play with our Academy connected indebtedness from Arsenal, making respective appearances for the under-21s. Our heartfelt condolences spell retired to his household and friends astatine this precise hard time.”