BREAKING: Popular Nigerian Footballer dies in UK [PHOTO]

Tributes have continued to pour in from the grassroots football community following the death of Nigerian non-league footballer Saburi Olayinka Adeniji, who died in hospital just hours before his wife and young daughter could reach his bedside.

Adeniji, a winger with Kings Park Rangers, passed away on Friday after spending nearly two weeks in intensive care. He had been admitted on January 25 with a catastrophic brain stem injury and never regained consciousness.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed by the club on Saturday, revealing that medical staff had delayed withdrawing life support in the hope that his family, travelling from Nigeria, would arrive in time to say their final goodbyes. His wife and four-year-old daughter reportedly landed in the UK the following morning, one day after his death.

In an emotional statement, Kings Park Rangers described Adeniji as a beloved figure both on and off the pitch.

“It is with great sadness that we must announce our number 17 Saburi Adeniji ‘Ola’ passed away yesterday morning,” the club said. “He fought so hard to still be here for when his family arrived. His wife and daughter unfortunately arrived this morning, a day late. He will always be a King. He will always be loved.”

Adeniji played for the Halstead-based side in the Essex and Suffolk Border League and was widely described by teammates as hardworking, humble and deeply devoted to his family.

Following his collapse, the club launched a fundraising appeal to support his family with emergency expenses. As of the weekend, the campaign had raised more than £16,000 of its £17,000 target, with donations coming in from fellow players, supporters and members of the wider football community.

Kings Park Rangers also waived gate fees at recent matches, redirecting proceeds to the appeal, and held a minute’s silence before their fixture against Henley Athletic. A separate fundraising event was organised to further assist the family during their stay in the UK.

In another message, the club said it had been overwhelmed by the scale of support, thanking donors and supporters for rallying around Adeniji’s loved ones during what it described as an unimaginably painful time.

The fundraising page noted that the money would help cover emergency visa processing, travel and accommodation costs, as well as provide longer-term support for Adeniji’s widow and daughter after their return to Nigeria.

“Saburi leaves behind a four-year-old daughter, whom he adored,” the organisers wrote. “He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and was committed to securing a better future and education for his child.”

They added that the appeal was also intended to help his wife rebuild her life after the tragedy and ensure his daughter’s welfare.