Arsenal pay emotional tribute to Billy Vigar after former striker dies aged 21

Arsenalhave sent a heartfelt tribute to former academy prospect Billy Vigar after he passed away on Thursday morning.

Chichester City confirmed in a statement that Vigar has died, aged 21, after sustaining a serious brain injury during last Saturday's game against Wingate & Finchley.

Vigar signed for Chichester this summer after spending last season at Hastings United. The forward left Arsenal in 2024 following seven years in the club's youth system.

He had scored two goals in six appearances for the club before suffering a serious injury while playing for Chichester against Wingate. The game was abandoned soon after.

Chichester revealed in a follow-up statement that Vigar sustained a significant brain injury and was in an induced coma. However, despite having surgery on Tuesday, it has been confirmed that Vigar has died.

In a statement, Chichester 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 too much for him and he passed away on Thursday (25th) morning. 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 while he was playing the sport that he loved."

Arsenal have since offered their condolences to Vigar and his family with a touching tribute. The club said: "Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that former academy graduate Billy Vigar has passed away.

"All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time. Rest in peace, Billy [red love heart emoji]."

Tributes have flooded in from around the footballing world. Vigar spent six months on loan at Derby County earlier in his career and the Rams said in a statement: "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."

Vigar made 32 appearances for Eastbourne while on loan from Arsenal during the 2023-24 season and they too paid tribute to him following the tragic news. The club 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."

Some of Vigar's former Arsenal teammates paid tribute to him on social media.

Charlie Patino, a close friend of Vigar, said: "Rest in peace, Billy."

Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Tyreec John-Jules both put red love heart emojis on Instagram.

Wingate & Finchley, meanwhile, released a statement later on Thursday evening, writing on social media: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Billy Vigar. "Our sincere condolences go out to Billy's family, and to our friends at Chichester City FC at this incredibly difficult time."