Luton Town have confirmed that their captain Tom Lockyer is in a stable condition in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest during the second half of their Premier League clash at Bournemouth.
Lockyer was attended to by paramedics and staff at the Vitality Stadium after collapsing on the field before he was carried off on a stretcher.
The Premier League fixture was subsequently abandoned with 65 minutes played.
Luton said that the player was "responsive" and confirmed that he had suffered suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch.
We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is thankfully responsive and has been taken to hospital.
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) December 16, 2023
We don't know the full extent of what happened and what the next steps are at this stage, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff on both sides for… pic.twitter.com/pPCuB9ROju
"Our medical staff have confirmed that the Hatters captain suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch, but was responsive by the time he was taken off on the stretcher," Luton said in a statement published on social media.
"He received further treatment inside the stadium, for which we once again thank the medical teams from both sides.
"Tom was transferred to hospital, where we can reassure supporters that he is stable and currently undergoing further tests with his family at his bedside. We would like to thank everyone for their support, concern and loving messages for Locks."
Lockyer collapsed in the 65th minute of the game. The stretcher was brought out and play was paused with players from both sides sent to their dressing rooms as the Hatters defender, who remained on the ground, was treated on the pitch.
It was the second time this year that the Wales international has collapsed during a match - he suffered an 'atrial flutter' during last season's Championship play-off final victory over Coventry at Wembley.
He was treated by paramedics on the pitch before being transferred to hospital. Following heart surgery he was passed fit to return to play during the off season.
"I was quite lucky. They knew straight away what it was and it wasn't life-threatening," he said in an interview in June. "It was an atrial flutter, which is an irregular heartbeat, so my heart wasn't responding as it should in those situations.
"It's probably the least severe heart condition you could have and I had a little procedure on Wednesday [31 May ] to correct that and it should never happen again."
The 29-year-old has made 14 league appearances for Luton this season.
