What happened to Luton Captain Tom Lockyer?
LUTON defender Tom Lockyer collapsed during his side’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Saturday December 16.
The incident happened halfway through the second half at the Vitality Stadium and the game was abandoned shortly after.
It comes just days after the skipper opened up about his previous collapse during Luton’s play-off final with Coventry back in May.
But who is Tom Lockyer and what happened to him?
What happened to Luton Captain Tom Lockyer?
Lockyer, 29, was given medical attention and treatment on the pitch before being taken off on a stretcher to a round of applause from fans.
Both teams had already been sent to the dressing rooms before Lockyer was carried off.
Luton Town were quick to update fans on the situation.
They wrote on Twitter shortly after the incident: “There’s a break in play as Tom Lockyer seeks medical attention.
“We are all with you, Locks.”
It was later confirmed the defender was “alert & responsive”.
The game was 1-1 when it ended.
What happened to Tom Lockyer in the Championship playoff final victory against Coventry?
Lockyer’s collapse at Bournemouth is not his first medical episode.
He collapsed 12 minutes into Luton’s Championship play-off final against Coventry at Wembley on May 27, 2023.
He underwent minor heart surgery this year and was given the all-clear to return to training after the Hatters were promoted to the Premier League.
What has Tom Lockyer said about his health in the past?
The Welsh international’s collapse at Bournemouth comes just days after he opened up about his previous collapse at Wembley.
He told The Central Club podcast: “I remember trying to find the shade and warm-up in the shaded bit and looking up at Coventry warming up in the shade and thinking ‘that’s unfair’.”
Lockyer says he had “the perfect start” to the game – winning battles with Coventry striker Viktor Gyokeres before having an effort cleared off the line.
But around 12 minutes into the game, his head “went really light-headed like nothing I’ve ever had before”.
He explained: “It’s like when you stand up real quick but worse and then my legs went like jelly almost instantly.
“I remember falling backwards and the next thing I know I woke up and there were paramedics all around me.
“I remember waking up from a dream, I couldn’t tell you what it was about, but I remember having a dream.”
He went on to have his heart surgery before making 15 appearances for Luton this season.