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The Chichester City forward Billy Vigar has died at the age of 21 after sustaining a “significant brain injury†in a game last Saturday. The former Arsenal player was injured in an Isthmian League match at Wingate & Finchley, leading to its abandonment after 13 minutes.

Chichester said in a statement: “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 to much for him and he passed away on Thursday morning.â€

The seventh-tier club, referencing an update provided on Monday regarding Vigarâ€s condition, also said: “The responses to the original update show how much Billy was thought of and loved within the sport. His family are devastated that this has happened whilst he was playing the sport that he loved.â€

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Vigar joined Arsenalâ€s academy in December 2017 at the age of 14 and signed a professional contract there in July 2022. He had loans with Derby, where he played for the under-21s, and Eastbourne Borough before joining Hastings United on a free transfer in July 2024. He signed for Chichester before this season.

Chichester announced on Thursday that Saturdayâ€s game at home to Lewes had been postponed.

Arsenal posted a tribute to their “quick, powerful and fiercely determined†former player: “Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is deeply sorry to hear of the tragic passing of Chichester City forward and former Arsenal academy player, Billy Vigar. Billy joined our academy on schoolboy terms aged 14, after being scouted at his home town club Hove Rivervale FC and excelled as a striker at Hale End, scoring 17 goals in his debut season.

“In 2020, his performances earned him a scholarship and joined us full-time for the 2020-21 season, his intake including current players Charles Sagoe Jr, Remy Mitchell and others such as Omari Hutchinson, Charlie Patino and Brook Norton-Cuffy. Billy went on to appear for us in the PL2 and EFL Trophy and proved to be an asset across the forward positions and even deputised in defence – his versatility illustrating his commitment to the coaching staff and his team.

“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.â€

Derby posted on X: “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.â€

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