A Nigerian footballer based in the United Kingdom, Saburi Adeniji, has died following complications from a serious brain stem injury, his club, Kings Park Rangers Football Club, has confirmed.
The club announced on Saturday that the left-sided attacker, fondly called Ola by teammates and supporters, passed away on Friday after weeks of intensive medical care.
Kings Park Rangers said Adeniji remained alive long enough for arrangements to be made for his family to travel from Nigeria, although his wife and young daughter reportedly arrived in the UK a day after his death.
Confirming the development, the club described the late footballer as a committed professional whose presence and character left a lasting impression both on and off the pitch.
Adeniji had been hospitalised earlier in January, prompting the club to appeal for prayers and suspend all fixtures as players and officials stood by him during his critical condition.
On January 17, the club disclosed that the winger was confined to bed and receiving treatment in intensive care, a situation that later worsened.
As concern grew, Kings Park Rangers launched a fundraising campaign to assist with emergency travel and accommodation costs for his family in Nigeria.
The club later revealed that Adeniji was admitted into the intensive care unit of Queen’s Hospital on January 15, where doctors confirmed the severity of his condition and classified him as brain dead.
It added that hospital authorities delayed the withdrawal of life support in line with medical procedures, allowing a brief opportunity for his family to travel and be with him.
Adeniji is survived by his wife and four-year-old daughter, as the club appealed to the football community to support the bereaved family and honour the memory of the late footballer.
