PLAYER TRAGEDY Billy Vigar dead: Ex-Arsenal star dies aged just 21 after suffering brain injury hitting head during Chichester match

Billy Vigar, 21, of Chichester City was placed into an induced coma following the incident during Saturday's match against Wingate and Finchley.

Billy Vigar was placed in an induced coma following the incident

Vigar had come through the youth ranks at Arsenal

Chichester City FC confirmed the sad news with a statement from Billy's family

The Isthmian Premier Division game was suspended just 15 minutes in after the striker collided with a hard pitchside surface.

He was treated by an ambulance crew before a helicopter rushed him to hospital.

The fixture was then abandoned completely as the club confirmed Vigar had suffered a serious brain injury.

He was then placed into a coma and underwent an operation - but the injury was so serious he tragically wouldn't recover.

The sad news of Billy's passing was confirmed by Chichester City Football Club on Thursday evening, who released a statement from his family.

They said: "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 (25th) morning."

Billy's distraught family added: "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."

At the time of the accident, Chichester FC said: "Billy received a significant brain injury and is currently 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."

They followed up their statement with a post reading: "Love from the whole CCFC family Billy."

Arsenal Football Club also released a statement on Thursday evening reflecting on his career at the club as an academy player, saying they were "deeply sorry" to hear he had passed away.

The statement read: "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."

"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," it added.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time."

Football fans mourning Billy's passing were pictured laying floral tributes and messages at Chichester FC's ground on Thursday night.