Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer thanks ‘heroes’ who saved his life in first statement since cardiac arrest | UK News

Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer says he’s doing “very well” and “feeling very much myself” after struggling a cardiac arrest on the pitch earlier this month.

In his first statement since the incident, the 29-year-old footballer thanked “the players, staff, doctors and paramedics” for his or her “heroic actions”.

“I feel thankful that this happened to me surrounded by these heroes. They saved my life. I will never forget what you did for me,” he stated.

Lockyer collapsed throughout Luton’s Premier League conflict with Bournemouth on the Vitality Stadium on 16 December, with the sport deserted shortly after half time at 1-1.

He was stretchered off surrounded by the medical staff to a standing ovation from the group and given additional therapy on the floor, earlier than being taken to hospital.

In a put up on social media, Lockyer lists the names of these who handled him, and provides: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the help that I’ve obtained and thanks all to your messages, letters, presents and effectively needs.

“Seeing the banners at the ground and hearing my name being sung really did mean a lot to me and my family.”

The footballer additionally praised his teammates, saying he feels “full of pride watching the boys carry on the battle without me”.

“The fighting spirit I’ve seen in the last three games has given me a much needed lift,” he stated.

“I will be doing whatever I can in whichever ways are possible to help the gaffer and the club. In what capacity that is remains to be decided as I’m due to meet with specialists in the new year.”

Lockyer additionally urged his followers to study CPR, saying it “literally saves lives, like mine”, earlier than once more thanking followers for his or her help.

Luton’s captain was discharged from hospital simply earlier than Christmas after he had a “successful procedure” to suit an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) gadget.

The membership are presently 18th in the Premier League, only one level behind Everton. In their final three video games, Luton beat Newcastle and Sheffield United, earlier than narrowly dropping to Chelsea in a 3-2 thriller on Friday.

The incident in Bournemouth marked the second time the Welsh worldwide collapsed throughout a recreation in 2023.

Lockyer was stretchered off the pitch after falling to the bottom 12 minutes into Luton’s play-off ultimate towards Coventry City in May.

Speaking to Sky Sports in June, Lockyer confirmed he had an atrial flutter, a sort of coronary heart arrhythmia which he stated was “probably the least severe heart condition you could have”.

He underwent corrective surgical procedure shortly after the collapse, and was “given the all-clear” to play in the Premier League.

‘He appears bored already’ – Edwards

Luton supervisor Rob Edwards additionally gave a light-hearted replace about his captain, saying Lockyer is “bored already” with not enjoying soccer.

He advised a press convention on Friday: “I converse to him each day. He is progressing. He appears bored already, however in typically good spirits, which is actually good.

“He was taking the mick out of my Christmas trainers towards (Sheffield United), so yeah he’s doing effectively.”

Edwards additionally advised TNT Sports on Friday of how Lockyer’s collapse impacted the staff, sharing: “The lads most likely noticed me crying like thrice in every week – I do not suppose there’s something mistaken with exhibiting vulnerability and emotion.

“The gamers noticed that all of us take care of one another, we all the time stress that after we signal a brand new participant. I all the time say you may get respect, honesty and time.

“There have been plenty of feelings, the gamers would have seen totally different sides of me, totally different sides of the employees. We’re human beings.”