Luton captain Tom Lockyer had a defibrillator implanted after suffering cardiac arrest on the pitch on Saturday and was released from hospital to recuperate at home, the Premier League club said on Thursday.
The 29-year-old Welsh international underwent “a successful procedure which took place on Tuesday, with Tom having an ICD fitted [desfibrilhador cardioversor implantável] to prevent a repeat of Saturday’s incident,” the club’s official website said.
The incident occurred in the 58th minute of the match between Luton and Bournemouth, with the match being stopped and then suspended.
The Premier League announced on Wednesday that the match will be replayed in full and both clubs have said it will be moved to later in the season, with a date yet to be determined.
“The club, Tom and the Lockyer family would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our collective sincere thanks to everyone at Bournemouth.to their fans, club directors and especially to their medical team and midfielder Philip Billing, who was the first to reach Tom on the pitch and ask for help,” Luton added.
This was the second time Lockyer had fainted during a match. The first time took place in May, during the final of playoffs of the Championship, the English second level, due to a heart rhythm disorder.
Luton’s next match is at home to Newcastle on Saturday, with the English club guaranteeing that although Lockyer will be absent from the field indefinitely, he will be with the team and “his leadership will continue behind the scenes, where his mettle will be from Saturday inspire teammates and fans.”
Source: DN
