Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer, who suffered a cardiac arrest during last Saturday’s game at Bournemouth, has been discharged from hospital.
The club said the 29-year-old has had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) device fitted.
Luton also said his cardiac arrest was different to his previous collapse in the Championship play-off final in May when he suffered atrial fibrillation.
“We are thankful to report he has begun rehabilitation,” said a club statement.
Lockyer collapsed in the 59th minute of the game and both sets of players were taken off the pitch as he received medical treatment.
The game at the Vitality Stadium was eventually abandoned with the score at 1-1. The match will be replayed in full at a later date.
Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.
In a statement, Luton, Lockyer and his family thanked Bournemouth, their fans and midfielder Philip Billing – who was the first to reach the defender – for their help with the situation.
It added: “Supported by the actions of Bournemouth’s medical team and local paramedics, it was ultimately the protocols instilled and professional actions of our own medical staff that gave Tom this chance to recover and to whom we are thankful.
“The clinical advice Tom and the Club has taken since the Championship play-off final has been conducted by the most renowned cardiologists, who have been involved at every step, along with a team of supporting multi-disciplinary consultants.
“We can now confirm that the tests taken this week had revealed that the issue Tom experienced on Saturday was different to the atrial fibrillation he suffered in May.”
An ICD is a small battery-powered device placed in the chest, that detects and stops irregular heartbeats. It delivers electric shocks, when needed, to restore a regular heart rhythm.
More to follow.
