Saburi Adeniji, a Nigerian footballer and left winger for Kings Park Rangers Football Club, has died after battling a severe brain stem injury.
The club confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday, saying Adeniji, popularly known as Ola, passed away on Friday morning after holding on until arrangements were made for his family to travel to the United Kingdom.
“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.”
Kings Park Rangers described the late footballer as a devoted family man and a valued member of the team.
“He will always be a King. He will always be loved — as a friend, as a dad, as a husband, as a brother and as a son,” the statement added.
Adeniji’s death came weeks after the club appealed for prayers and financial support following his admission into intensive care.
On January 17, the club announced that the winger was bedridden and suspended all matches to 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,” the club said at the time.
As his condition worsened, the club launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to bring his wife and young daughter from Nigeria to the UK.
In a statement on the fundraising page, the club disclosed that Adeniji was admitted to intensive care on January 15, 2026, at Queen’s Hospital, where doctors confirmed the severity of his condition.
“Saburi was admitted to Intensive Care on 15 January 2026 and is under the care of the Critical Care Department at Queen’s Hospital,” the statement read.
“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 club explained that recent changes in UK medical procedures delayed the withdrawal of life support, giving a brief window for his family to travel to the UK.
“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family to travel to the UK so they may be with him before he passes naturally on life support or life support is withdrawn,” the statement added.
Funds raised were intended to cover emergency visa processing, flights, accommodation and living expenses for his wife and daughter, as well as support for the family after his passing.
Adeniji is survived by his wife and four-year-old daughter.
“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,” the club said.
Kings Park Rangers described the loss as devastating and called on the football community to rally around the bereaved family.
“This is a moment for the football world to come together — players, clubs, teammates, supporters and friends,” the club said.
