*Admitted in Critical Care unit since January 15 under best medical treatment
*Death sparks an outpouring of grief from teammates, fans and the non-league football community in England
*Deceased a winger with Kings Park Rangers Football Club in Essex, passed away at Queen’s Hospital a day before his wife and four-year-old daughter arrived from Nigeria to see him for the last time
*“It is with great sadness that we must announce our number 17 Saburi Adeniji ‘Ola’ passed away. He fought so hard to still be here for when his family arrived. His wife and daughter unfortunately arrived in the morning, a day later. He will always be King. He will always be loved. As a friend, as a dad, as a husband, as a brother and as a son. R.I.P Saburi Adeniji”– Kings Park Rangers Football Club
*BY DELE SANMI/SPORTS Reporter, Reporting LIVE from Essex, U.K/Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA
HE was a familiar face in most homes in the United Kingdom, U.K. SABURI OLAYINKA ADENIJI was a Nigerian born famous footballer in the Queen’s enclave. He had been suffering from a long, chronic brain injury and collapsed. He was rushed to Queen’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His death created an atmosphere of grief from teammates, fans and the non-league football community in England.
Adeniji, a winger with Kings Park Rangers Football Club in Essex, passed away on Friday at Queen’s Hospital, just a day before his wife and four-year-old daughter arrived from Nigeria to see him for the last time.
The club confirmed the tragic development in a statement on Saturday, saying the footballer had battled to stay alive in the hope of seeing his family again.
“It is with great sadness that we must announce our number 17 Saburi Adeniji ‘Ola’ passed away yesterday morning,” the club wrote in a statement shared on its Facebook page.
“He fought so hard to still be here for when his family arrived. His wife and daughter unfortunately arrived this morning, a day late.”
“He will always be a King. He will always be loved. As a friend, as a dad as a husband, as a brother and as a son. R.I.P Saburi Adeniji,” it added.
Adeniji had been in the Critical Care Unit since January 15, after being admitted with a severe brain stem injury. According to information shared by the club and family supporters, doctors delayed switching off his life support in the hope that his family would arrive in time to say goodbye.
Kings Park Rangers, who compete in the Essex & Suffolk Border League, rallied around Adeniji and his family in the weeks leading up to his death. The club suspended gate fees for matches, turning matchday income into donations to support his loved ones.
A minute’s silence was observed before the club’s match against Henley Athletic, while a fundraising event was also organised in his honour.
A fundraising page set up to support Adeniji’s family has raised over £16,000 of its £17,000 target. The funds are intended to cover emergency visa applications, travel expenses, accommodation in the UK, and longer-term support for his wife and daughter.
The appeal described Adeniji as a devoted father and husband who worked tirelessly to provide for his family.
“We are overwhelmed with the support and on behalf of everyone involved with the club. THANK YOU,” Kings Park Rangers wrote in a Facebook post thanking supporters.
“Saburi leaves behind a four-year-old daughter, whom he adored. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and was deeply committed to giving his daughter a good education and a better future,” the page read.
It added that beyond reuniting his family in the UK, the funds would help support his wife financially and secure his daughter’s education and wellbeing in Nigeria.
“This is a moment for the football world to come together-players, clubs, teammates, supporters and friends. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference to a young family facing unimaginable heartbreak,” the appeal stated.
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