Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer has left the club after completing his rehabilitation and returning to the pitch, 22 months after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Premier League match at Bournemouth.
The 30-year-old defender, who led the Hatters into the top flight and made 117 appearances in orange, has now been given the all-clear to continue his playing career – but it will not be at Kenilworth Road, the club has announced.
It has been revealed that Lockyer featured in three matches for Luton’s development side last month – against Chelmsford City, Reading U21s and Barnet’s youngsters – completing 90 minutes for the first time since being hospitalised for the second time, when he admitted he was technically dead for two minutes a 40 seconds while he was resuscitated. He had previously suffered an atrial fibrilation during the Championship play-off final win over Coventry in May 2023.
Lockyer was released after his contract expired in the summer, but he remained at the club to complete his rehabilitation, having come close to a playing return with the youth team last term, though he injured his ankle ligaments just before his comeback, requiring the first of two surgeries, which further set back his recovery.
“It’s been a long old road, it really has,” Lockyer told the Feast of Football podcast, adding: “But I’m delighted to say I’ve been cleared to play football again so obviously that’s amazing, just everything I’ve worked for ever since it [the cardiac arrest] happened. Everything looks good so I’m really, really happy.”
Luton CEO Gary Sweet said: “I was lucky enough to witness Tom complete his first 45 minutes of action for 21 months, contributing admirably alongside our under-21s against a Chelmsford first team. Witnessing Locks defend against his old team-mate Lyle Taylor was a joy to see, before watching him lead our youngsters against Reading and Barnet.
“It has been a long road to recovery for Tom as we have diligently nursed him back to fitness with great care, enabling him to make decisions about his future career he never thought he would be in a position to make at one point.
“We’ve taken great pride in helping Tom to a full recovery, which will continue for now with another club, but he knows that he and his family will always be welcome at Luton Town, the club he has called home for the past five years.
“We thank Tom so much for the prominent role he has played in our success in recent years. His play-off semi-final goal to level the tie against Sunderland will never be forgotten, and his name is firmly etched into Luton Town history as our first Premier League captain.
“We look forward to giving him a proper Kenilworth Road send-off when his matchday commitments allow.”
Lockyer first joined the Hatters from Charlton Athletic in 2020, establishing himself as a key figure under Nathan Jones and later Rob Edwards. His leadership during the 2022/23 campaign, which culminated in promotion via the play-offs, turned him into one of the club’s most popular modern-day figures.
Since suffering a cardiac arrest, which promptied a huge outpouring of support across football, Lockyer has become an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation, promoting CPR awareness after the skills of medical staff saved his life.
Luton Town said in their statement: “From everyone at Luton Town, a heartfelt thank you for making us dream and achieve, Locks. We wish you and your family all the very best for everything that lies ahead. Once a Hatter, always a Hatter.”
1 Trackback / Pingback