Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer has been dischaged from the hospital after having a defibrillator implanted under his skin to prevent a repeat of the heart attack he had last Saturday at Bournemouth.
Lockyer underwent a surgery similar to that of Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen, who made a full recovery and returned to competitive play for Denmark eight months after suffering a severe cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark in June 2021.
Lockyer was released four days after falling during a game at Bournemouth, which was later abandoned and will be replayed. Wales’ 29-year-old center defender will now continue his recuperation at home.
Luton, in a statement, said medical tests had shown this incident “was different from the atrial fibrillation he suffered in May” when the Luton Town captain collapsed in the Championship play-off final against Coventry City at Wembley.
On that occasion, he was given a clean bill of health to resume training after quickly healing, and he did not miss a game, leading his team out at Brighton on the first day of the Premier League season.
“The clinical advice Tom and the club have taken since the Championship play-off final has been conducted by the most renowned cardiologists, who have been involved at every step,” Luton continued.
Lockyer, his family, and the club expressed their “heartfelt gratitude” to Bournemouth’s medical personnel, supporters, club officials, and player Philip Billing, who was the first to reach the injured Lockyer.
The letter went on to thank the “wider football family’ for their love and concern, noting that “the degree of support has been astounding.”
Luton’s statement made no mention of whether Lockyer wants or will be able to continue playing.
