Soccer Player Dies at 21 After Suffering ‘Significant Brain Injury’ While ‘Playing the Sport He Loved’

English soccer player Billy Vigar has tragically passed away at the age of 21 after sustaining a “significant brain injury” during a match.

Chichester City F.C. confirmed on Thursday, Sept. 25, via X that Vigar had died following an injury he suffered in their game against Wingate & Finchley Football Club on Saturday.

The BBC and the Independent reported that Vigar may have collided with a concrete wall during the match, though the club has not officially confirmed this. According to the Independent, he was attempting to prevent the ball from crossing the touchline.

PEOPLE has reached out to Chichester City F.C. for additional 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 club wrote on X. “We request that his family’s privacy is respected at this most difficult time.”

The West Sussex-based club shared a statement from Vigar’s family:

“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. Although this helped, the injury proved too severe, and he passed away on Thursday morning.”

The family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support, noting that messages of sympathy “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,” the statement concluded.

Vigar, who previously played in the Arsenal academy, joined Chichester City F.C. in 2025.

On Sunday, the semi-professional team shared that “on Saturday September 20th one of our players sustained a serious injury in our match at Wingate & Finchley.” They added the following day that Vigar had suffered a “significant brain injury” and had been placed 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.”

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

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

Chichester City F.C. 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 ‘the most important of his life’—and a character beloved by teammates and coaches alike,” the club said. “Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time.”