He Luton Town has assured that Tom Lockyer is “answering“In hospital after cardiac arrest and praised the “incredible” response of the medical staff after the defender collapsed on the pitch during their match at Premier League against him Bournemouthso Saturday’s game at the Vitality Stadium was called off.

Both teams returned to their dressing rooms while 29-year-old defender Lockyer received medical treatment midway through the second half of the match at the Vitality Stadium.

Lockyer was taken away on a stretcher after several minutes of treatment, with widespread initial reports quoting Bournemouth’s team doctor as saying the Wales international was “alert and responsive” in the tunnel.

The former Charlton Athletic player collapsed during the Hatters’ Championship play-off final win against Coventry City in May but has been cleared to return to action in June.

🚨 #NOW

LUTON TOWN CAPTAIN TOM LOCKIER faints in match against Bournemouth

❌ The doctors rushed to treat him while the players retired to the dressing room and the match was stopped.pic.twitter.com/oavdI8KID2

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐬 Argentina 🇦🇷 (@sportingnewsar) December 16, 2023

🚨 #NOW

LUTON TOWN CAPTAIN TOM LOCKIER faints in match against Bournemouth

❌ The doctors rushed to treat him while the players retired to the dressing room and the match was stopped.

📷 @aadamp9 pic.twitter.com/Yjv4Oh25Ww

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐍𝐰𝐰𝐬 Spain 🇪🇸 (@sportingnewses) December 16, 2023

Tom Lockyer: What the Premier League and Luton have said

In a statement issued after the stoppage of the match, the Luton stated:”We are all hoping and praying for our captain and captain Tom Lockyer who thankfully is responding and has been taken to hospital“.

“We don’t know the extent of what happened and the next steps at this time, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff at both teams for their immediate response, which was absolutely amazing.“.

“We are sorry to all the fans in attendance that the players of both teams were unable to continue the match after seeing their beloved team-mate and friend go away and that the staff could not continue to officiate the match in such circumstances as they had to deal with the situation“.

“Thank you to everyone for the wonderful applause and for singing Locke’s name in the stadium at such a difficult time“.

“Now is the time for all our players, staff and fans to come together as we always do and give our love and support to Tom and his family. Our thoughts are with him and all of them“.

His Twitter account Premier League announced the stoppage of the match with the score 1-1:Our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer and all the players involved in today’s match“.

He Bournemouth tweeted: “Our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer and everyone at Luton Town“.

What happened to Tom Lockyer in the Championship play-off final?

Lockyer collapsed on the pitch and was rushed to hospital during the first half of Luton’s game with Coventry (May 27, 2023)dedicated to him by his teammates after promotion to the Premier League.

The football world was relieved when Lockyer issued a statement later that day celebrating the win from his hospital bed.

“I would like to thank the incredible physiotherapists and doctors at Luton and Wembley for their quick and thorough response,” he said at the time. “A much scarier moment for everyone else than for myself, I’m sure.”

Lockyer was a mainstay for Luton in their first season in the top flight since 1992, making 14 league appearances and one in the Carabao Cup as a centre-back.

What caused Tom Lockyer to collapse in the Championship play-off final?

Lockyer suffered from atrial fibrillation, which according to Britain’s National Health Service causes “an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate”.

“I had surgery to fix it and it shouldn’t happen again.“He said on the city’s official website in June after several days of testing.”There’s really no telling why it happened. They gave me the green light, it is what it is and now I just want to put an end to it and move on.“.

“I had my entire heart checked and rechecked with every scan and test you can do on a heart, and everything was positive.he stated then.