Sabri Olinka Adeniji, who played as a winger for Kings Park Rangers, died on Friday before his four-year-old daughter and wife arrived from Nigeria.
Sabri Adeniji passes away in hospital (Image: Kings Park Rangers FC)
Tributes have been paid after a non-league footballer tragically died from a fatal brain injury. Sabri Olinka Adeniji died in hospital the day before his wife and four-year-old daughter bid him farewell at his bedside.
He was a winger for Kings Park Rangers, based in Halstead, Essex. The club rallied around Adeniji’s family, who came from Nigeria to spend time with him. Unfortunately, we didn’t hear from him until after he passed away on Friday.
A fundraising page was set up to help Mr Adeniji’s family cover costs, and has raised more than £16,000 of the £17,000 target. It details how he was admitted to the intensive care unit at Queen’s Hospital’s emergency department on January 15th after sustaining severe brainstem injuries.
The hospital waited to turn off life support in the hopes that Adeniji’s family would arrive in time to say goodbye. However, a heartbreaking statement from his football club on Saturday confirmed the tragic news.
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Kings Park Rangers said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce that number 17 Sabri Adeniji ‘Ola’ passed away yesterday morning. He fought hard to stay here until his family could arrive. Unfortunately, his wife and daughter arrived this morning a day late.”
“He will forever be a king. He will always be loved as a friend, a father, a husband, a brother and a son. Rest in peace Sabri Adeniji.”
Kings Park Rangers, who play in the Essex Suffolk Border League, have decided in recent weeks to suspend gate fees for fans and instead use the money to donate money to families.
Sabri Adeniji was a winger for Kings Park Rangers (Image: Kings Park Rangers FC)
The club held a moment of silence before last weekend’s game against Henley Athletic and also held a fundraiser. “On behalf of everyone at the club, we are overwhelmed by the support,” the club wrote on Facebook.
A fundraising page to help his family pay for emergency visa applications, travel and accommodation costs while in the UK. It added: “Saburi left behind his beloved four-year-old daughter. He worked tirelessly to support his family and was deeply determined to give his daughter a good education and a better future.”
Kings Park Rangers hold fundraising event for Sabri Adeniji (Image: Kings Park Rangers FC)
“This fund will not only be used to urgently reunite my family, but also to financially support my wife as she moves on with her life after this devastating loss, and to ensure the education and well-being of my daughter back home in Nigeria.
“This is a moment for football to come together as players, clubs, team-mates, supporters and friends. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a huge difference to a young family facing unimaginable heartbreak.”
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