Tom Lockyer, captain of Premier League side Luton Town, has become a dad for the first time in his life months after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Lockyer collapsed during a Premier League away clash at the Vitality Stadium in December 2023, which was abandoned in the 65th minute, with the Hatters and Bournemouth playing out a one-all draw.
Tom Lockyer speaking on Gary Lineker's The Rest is Football podcast expressed that the birth of his daughter is life-changing.
The 29-year-old said that he previously believed “football was the most important thing in the world” but he now views life from a different perspective.
Lockyer told Lineker, Micah Richards, and Alan Shearer that his little daughter “came along” and has changed everything for him.
Tom Lockyer has in the past also touched on his ordeal during the game against Bournemouth, sharing that he was “technically dead” for about three minutes.
The Englishman was discharged from the hospital four days later and is continuing his recovery process.
During the interview with Gary Lineker, Richards, and Shearer, he said: “The first thought I had when I came round was 'My missus is in the stand and she's seven months pregnant.
“But she seemed to have handled it really well and was amazing throughout the birth. I can't speak highly enough of her.”
The former Bristol Rovers man spoke of a return to Luton Town once he has fully recovered alongside getting his bearing as a father.
Lockyer said: “Obviously the baby's come along, I don't have the energy at the minute, but when things settle down a little bit hopefully I can try and get in a little bit more.”
It is uncertain if Tom Lockyer will return to the Hatters in a playing capacity, or take up a non-playing role at the club.
The defender has been fitted with an ICD device which aids the heart to restart instantly if Lockyer were to suffer a cardiac arrest in the future.
The ex-Charlton Athletic center-back has made 117 appearances for Luton Town, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists in all competitions.
He is a worthy captain of the Hatters, having led the club to gain promotion to the English Premier League.
Before he suffered cardiac arrest, the defender had made 15 appearances this campaign, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist in all competitions.
Cumulatively, Tom Lockyer has made 445 club career appearances thus far, scoring 14 goals and providing 7 assists across all competitions.
Internationally, Lockyer has made 16 appearances for Wales, scoring no goal and providing no assist.
Meanwhile, Luton Town return to action on Saturday, March 9, 2024, visiting Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace.
Rob Edwards's side sit 18th on the Premier League table, with 20 points from 26 league matches and they are aiming to avoid slipping back to the Championship.
Lockyer collapsed during a Premier League away clash at the Vitality Stadium in December 2023, which was abandoned in the 65th minute, with the Hatters and Bournemouth playing out a one-all draw.
Tom Lockyer speaking on Gary Lineker's The Rest is Football podcast expressed that the birth of his daughter is life-changing.
The 29-year-old said that he previously believed “football was the most important thing in the world” but he now views life from a different perspective.
Lockyer told Lineker, Micah Richards, and Alan Shearer that his little daughter “came along” and has changed everything for him.
Tom Lockyer has in the past also touched on his ordeal during the game against Bournemouth, sharing that he was “technically dead” for about three minutes.
The Englishman was discharged from the hospital four days later and is continuing his recovery process.
During the interview with Gary Lineker, Richards, and Shearer, he said: “The first thought I had when I came round was 'My missus is in the stand and she's seven months pregnant.
“But she seemed to have handled it really well and was amazing throughout the birth. I can't speak highly enough of her.”
The former Bristol Rovers man spoke of a return to Luton Town once he has fully recovered alongside getting his bearing as a father.
Lockyer said: “Obviously the baby's come along, I don't have the energy at the minute, but when things settle down a little bit hopefully I can try and get in a little bit more.”
It is uncertain if Tom Lockyer will return to the Hatters in a playing capacity, or take up a non-playing role at the club.
The defender has been fitted with an ICD device which aids the heart to restart instantly if Lockyer were to suffer a cardiac arrest in the future.
The ex-Charlton Athletic center-back has made 117 appearances for Luton Town, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists in all competitions.
He is a worthy captain of the Hatters, having led the club to gain promotion to the English Premier League.
Before he suffered cardiac arrest, the defender had made 15 appearances this campaign, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist in all competitions.
Cumulatively, Tom Lockyer has made 445 club career appearances thus far, scoring 14 goals and providing 7 assists across all competitions.
Internationally, Lockyer has made 16 appearances for Wales, scoring no goal and providing no assist.
Meanwhile, Luton Town return to action on Saturday, March 9, 2024, visiting Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace.
Rob Edwards's side sit 18th on the Premier League table, with 20 points from 26 league matches and they are aiming to avoid slipping back to the Championship.