Billy Vigar, who died Thursday at 21 years old, joined Arsenal’s soccer academy at 14. Photo by David Cliff/EPA
Arsenal academy alum Billy Vigar died after sustaining a brain injury while playing for Chichester City FC, the seventh-tier British soccer club announced. He was 21.
“Rest in pace Billy,” Chichester City said Thursday. “Forever in the hearts of all at Chichester City Football Club.”
Vigar sustained the injury when he struck a concrete wall while pursuing a ball during an Isthmian League Premier Division match against Wingate & Finchley on Saturday in Finchley, a district of north London.
Medics rushed to the area to help Vigar, who was transported to a hospital. The game was abandoned after just 13 minutes. He was placed in an induced coma and underwent surgery Tuesday, but died two days later.
"When you see players from the academy in the first team, it gives you the thought that you can achieve it if you put in the hard work."
The pathway is there for you, @VigarBilly
Watch the full interview https://t.co/2XZU3fKw2Y pic.twitter.com/vpn4yc7mJp— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) July 8, 2022
“After sustaining a significant brain injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar was put in an induced coma,” Chichester City said. “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 morning.
“The responses to the original update show how much Billy was though of and loved with the sport. His family are devastated that this has happened whilst he was playing the sport that he loved.”
The Lillywhites (3-2-2), who sit in 10th place in the Isthmian League standings, also postponed their next match, which was to have been played Saturday against seventh-place Lewes FC.
CLUB STATEMENT – Billy Vigar pic.twitter.com/DZOvXKxwax— Hastings United FC (@hastingsufc) September 26, 2025
Vigar joined Arsenal’s academy at 14. The Gunners scouted the striker out of his hometown club, Hove Rivervale FC. He earned a scholarship in 2020 and joined the Gunners full time in 2020-21. He went on to represent the Gunners in Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy competition.
Vigar also played on loan for Derby County and Eastbourne Borough. He joined Hastings United in 2024 before signing with Chichester in August.
“As well as his significant talent, Billy will always be remembered for his love of the game, pride at representing our football club — he once called the day he was spotted by our scouts as ‘the most Important of his life’ — and a character beloved by teammates and coaches alike,” the Gunners said at arsenal.com.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time.”
Notable deaths of 2025
Robert RedfordHollywood legend Robert Redford (L) and his wife Sibylle Szaggars arrive on the red carpet before the screening of the film “All Is Lost” during the 66th annual Cannes International Film Festival in France on May 22, 2013. Redford, an actor, filmmaker and environmentalist who started the Sun Dance Film Festival and who starred in films such as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” died at the age of 89 on September 16. Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
