Premier League star thanks heroes who saved his life after collapsing on the pitch

A Premier League star who collapsed on the pitch has thanked the heroes who saved his life. Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer, 29, suffered a cardiac arrest during a game against Bournemouth earlier this month.

The match was abandoned after he collapsed in the 59th minute of the game. He suffered a cardiac arrest and spent five days in hospital, following a successful procedure to fit an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

The Welshman spoke for the first time following the incident on his Instagram account. “I would just like to say that I am doing very well and feeling very much myself after the cardiac arrest I suffered in Bournemouth,” Lockyer said.

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“The reason I’m doing so well is all down to the heroic actions of the players, staff, doctors and paramedics. 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.”

Concerns over Lockyer’s health had been heightened after he collapsed during May’s Championship play-off final victory over Coventry, leading him to undergo surgery to correct an atrial fibrillation. The defender returned to action for the start of the new season and the Wales international highlighted 10 people for particular praise after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Lockyer named Phil Ballett, Abbey Clark, Dean Fernee and Adam Todhunter, along with Dr Craig Roberts, Dr Mufeed Ni’man and Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing. Simon Parsell, Chris Phillips and Dr Amos Ogunkoya were also included on the front image of an Instagram post featuring a lengthy caption.

“While I’m sad not to be involved, I feel full of pride watching the boys