Soccer Player Dies at 21 After Suffering ‘Significant Brain Injury’ During Game

English soccer player Billy Vigar has died at the age of 21 after suffering a “significant brain injury” in a game.

On Thursday, Sept. 25, Chichester City F.C. confirmed in a post on X that Vigar had died after sustaining injuries during their game against Wingate & Finchley Football Club on Saturday. 

The BBC and the Independent reported that it’s thought Vigar collided with a concrete wall during the match, however, the team has not confirmed this. According to the Independent, Vigar was trying to prevent the ball from crossing the touchline.

PEOPLE has contacted Chichester City F.C. for further comment.

“It is with great sadness that Chichester City Football Club has to confirm the passing of Billy Vigar. Below is a statement from his family,” the team wrote on X. “We request that his family’s privacy is respected at this most difficult time.”

The club, which is based in West Sussex, England, then shared a statement from Vigar’s family, which 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,” they continued. “Although this helped, the injury proved too much for him and he passed away on Thursday morning.”

The family went on to share their appreciation for people’s words following the news of Vigar’s injury, saying they “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,” they concluded.

Vigar previously played for Arsenal academy and joined Chichester City F.C. in 2025.

On Sunday, the semi-professional team announced that “on Saturday September 20th one of our players sustained a serious injury in our match at  Wingate & Finchley.” 

They then revealed the following day that Vigar had sustained a “significant brain injury” and had been put in “an induced coma in intensive care receiving the best possible treatment. 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.”

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Arsenal also paid tribute to their former academy player, who joined the team at the age of 14.

“Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that former academy graduate Billy Vigar has passed away,” they wrote on X. “All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time. Rest in peace, Billy.”

In a news release, the team described Vigar as “quick, powerful and fiercely determined.’

“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,” the release read, adding, “Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time.”