Luton Town release statement on Tom Lockyer with player now beginning rehabilitation

Luton Town release a statement on Tom Lockyer with the player now beginning rehabilitation having been discharged from hospital.

The 29 year old was rushed to hospital after he collapsed in the centre circle of the Premier League fixture between Bournemouth and Luton last Saturday.

This came just months after something similar had happened during last season’s Championship playoff final, with a photo of him celebrating his side’s promotion.

Tom was attended to by paramedics and staff at the weekend before he was removed on a stretcher with the help of Luton’s medical team.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed that the game be replayed in full after it was abandoned during the second half.

Luton initially said the defender had been in a stable condition and on Sunday then added that he was awaiting test and scan results to determine the next steps.

Now they’ve issued a further update, which you can read below…

We are thankful to report that our captain Tom Lockyer has now begun a period of rehabilitation from the comfort of his own home after he was discharged from hospital on Wednesday.

Read the full statement 👇

— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) December 21, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

We are thankful to report that our captain Tom Lockyer has now begun a period of rehabilitation from the comfort of his own home after he was discharged from hospital on Wednesday.

This encouraging news follows a successful procedure that took place on Tuesday whereby Tom had an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) device fitted to prevent a repeat of Saturday’s incident.

The Club, Tom and the Lockyer family would like to take this opportunity to repeat our collective heartfelt thanks to all at Bournemouth, their supporters, club officials and especially their medical staff and midfielder Philip Billing, who was the first to reach Tom on the pitch and summon assistance.

Supported by the actions of Bournemouth’s medical team and local paramedics, it was ultimately the protocols instilled and professional actions of our own medical staff that gave Tom this chance to recover and to whom we are thankful.

Naturally, the events that unfolded last weekend surprised and shocked everyone witnessing it. Together with Sporting Chance, via the Premier League, the Club is in the process of providing care for those who may be affected by any distress caused.

The clinical advice Tom and the Club has taken since the Championship play-off final has been conducted by the most renowned cardiologists, who have been involved at every step, along with a team of supporting multi-disciplinary consultants.

We can now confirm that the tests taken this week had revealed that the issue Tom experienced on Saturday was different to the atrial fibrillation he suffered in May.

Tom, his family and the Club would like to thank everyone in the football family who have sent messages of concern and love. The level of support has been overwhelming.

We’re so proud to have Locks as our captain and his leadership will continue from the sidelines where his courage will inspire his team-mates, colleagues, and supporters, starting on Saturday.

Bournemouth player Neto spoke to Sky Sports on what he said that day: “It was a very bad feeling. Everybody on the pitch can put themselves in that situation. You think, ‘Oh my God, this can happen to anybody here’ – of course, we try to do checks, but it can happen.

“It was a very bad feeling but thank God he is okay and he is alive, that is the most important thing. It was a scary moment.

“I thought everybody – not just the players – but the staff, the people working at the game, they could feel how important [it was]. It is difficult, because day-by-day, we sometimes forget we can go at any moment. Everybody in that moment realised that. It was bad.”

Neto recalls the moment he felt “shock” after he witnessed the collapse of Tom Lockyer in the 59th minute of the game between Bournemouth and Luton Town pic.twitter.com/4VO1Or0AjY

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 20, 2023

Fans showed their love and support as Luton Town release a statement on Tom Lockyer with the player now beginning rehabilitation…

@Lukeyboy_CFC: Wow isn’t that just fantastic, to go through all that and to be discharged from hospital only a matter of days later is amazing. Speedy recovery Tom 💙

@SimonDGould: Absolutely fantastic news that Tom is at home recovering. I know he’s Lutons man but he’ll always be a Gashead in my eyes – Captain, leader, inspiration 💙 💙

@TheGothSpecial1: Excellent news that Tom’s recovering at home I wish him well on his recovery

@WRDean1878: Great news. Hopefully Tom can make a full recovery and get his playing career back on track!

@BedfordHatter: That is fantastic news for Tom and his family 👍 Good luck skipper 👏👏👏🧡COYH

@philwalker50: Made up for him and his family and club and supporters 👏👏👏🙏👍

@DeanoCummings85: Great news. Wishing Tom all the best in his recovery

@HumberHull: Absolutely brilliant news 🧡 We love you Tom 🎩 xx

@CherryCola1515:
Great news
Home for Christmas
All the best
from an #afcb🍒 supporter
#footballfamily

@CarrieBrownTV: Great to hear Tom is home after having an ICD successfully fitted. Issue Tom had on Saturday was different to the atrial fibrillation he suffered in May. Recover well! Touching tribute from club and family to Bournemouth here too. Football Family.

@philblanche: Tom Lockyer has had the same Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) device fitted that Christian Eriksen had following his cardiac arrest in 2021.