Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer says he is doing “very well” and “feeling very much myself” after he suffered 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 their “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 said.
Luton Town’s Tom Lockyer (front) and Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke battle for the ball
Lockyer collapsed during Luton’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on 16 December, with the game abandoned shortly after half time at 1-1.
He was stretchered off surrounded by the medical team to a standing ovation from the crowd and given further treatment at the ground, before being taken to hospital.
In his statement, he said: “I have been overwhelmed by the support that I have received and thank you all for your messages, letters, gifts and well wishes.
“Seeing the banners at the ground and hearing my name being sung really did mean a lot to me and my family.”
The footballer 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 said.
“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.”
Tom Lockyer has collapsed on the football pitch for the second time this year after suffering from a cardiac arrest.
Luton Town’s captain was discharged from hospital just before Christmas after he had a “successful procedure” to fit an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device.
Lockyer urged his followers to learn CPR, saying it “literally saves lives, like mine”, before again thanking fans for their support.
“I have been overwhelmed by the support that I have received and thank you all for your messages, letters, gifts and well wishes,” he added.
“Seeing the banners at the ground and hearing my name being sung really did mean a lot to me and my family.
“Finally I would like to thank Bournemouth, Gary Sweet, Rob Edwards and Luton Town for the support they’ve given my family during this time.”
Luton Town manager Rob Edwards enters the field of play as his player Tom Lockyer receives treatment on the pitch during the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Saturday December 16, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story S
Luton are currently 18th in the Premier League, just one point behind Everton
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