UK: Nigerian footballer dies after battle with brain injury

A Nigerian footballer based in the United Kingdom, Saburi Adeniji, has died following a severe brain stem injury.

Adeniji was a left winger for Kings Park Rangers Football Club, and his demise was announced on Saturday by the club.

The statement reveals that Adeniji, popularly known as Ola, died on Friday morning, adding that he persevered until after arrangements were made for his family to travel to the United Kingdom.

The club said, “It is with great sadness that we must announce our number 17 Saburi Adeniji ‘Ola’ passed away yesterday morning.

“He fought so hard to still be here for when his family arrived. His wife and daughter, unfortunately, arrived this morning, a day late.”

Adeniji’s club had announced that the player was bedridden on January 17, disclosing that all matches would be put on hold to allow the team support him.

“We are asking everyone to pray for our left winger, Saburi Adeniji (Ola). All Kings Park Rangers games will be on hold as we look to support him at his bedside until he is better,” it stated.

A GoFundMe campaign was set up to raise funds to bring his wife and young daughter from Nigeria to the UK.

“Saburi was admitted to Intensive Care on 15 January 2026 and is under the care of the Critical Care Department at Queen’s Hospital.

“According to his consultant in critical care, his condition has continued to deteriorate, and he is now considered to be imminently dying.

“Due to the severity of his injury, Saburi has been medically classified as brain dead.

“The hospital has compassionately allowed a short window of time to enable Saburi’s family to travel to the UK so they may be with him before he passes naturally on life support or life support is withdrawn,” the club noted.

Following his death, Adeniji’s club funds would go to his wife and help secure his daughter’s education and well-being.

“Saburi leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter, whom he adored. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and was deeply committed to giving his daughter a good education and a better future.”