Chichester City FC and former Arsenal striker Billy Vigar has died after sustaining a “significant brain injury”.
Vigar, 21 and from Worthing, was injured during a game at Wingate and Finchley on Saturday in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
It is thought the injury was caused when he collided with a concrete wall, but the club has not confirmed this.
Vigar’s family said on Thursday they were “devastated that this has happened while he was playing the sport he loved”.
“After sustaining a significant brain injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar was put into an induced coma,” the family said.
“On Tuesday, he needed an operation to aid any chances of recovery. Although this helped, the injury proved too much for him and he passed away on Thursday morning.
“The responses to the original update show how much Billy was loved and thought of within the sport.”
Vigar was a graduate of the Arsenal academy and also had spells at Derby County, Hastings United and Eastbourne Borough.
Derby County said in a statement: “All at Derby County are deeply saddened by the passing of Billy Vigar.
“Billy spent the second half of the 2022-23 season with the academy on loan from Arsenal, making several appearances for the Under-21s.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
A spokesperson for Hastings said: “All of us at Hastings United are devastated to learn of the passing of Billy Vigar.
“We will always remember Billy’s time at Hastings United with fondness. Our thoughts are with Billy’s family [and] friends at this time.”
Vigar made 32 appearances for Eastbourne while on loan from Arsenal during the 2023-24 season.
Eastbourne said: “[We] are devastated to learn of the passing of former player Billy Vigar.
“Both footballing and non-footballing club staff are shocked and deeply saddened of the news, and our thoughts are with Billy’s family at this terrible time.”
The FA said in a statement: “We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, loved ones and everyone at Chichester City FC at this incredibly difficult time.”
