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Non-league side Kings Park Rangers have revealed that one of their players has been left ‘brain dead’ after sustaining a catastrophic brain stem injury. Saburi Adeniji picked up the injury earlier this month and was admitted to intensive care at Queen’s Hospital on January 15.

The club have confirmed that Adenji will pass away and have launched aGoFundMe page in an effort to raise around £13,000 to pay for the travel costs of his family, who are currently in Nigeria.

A statement from the club read: “We are in urgent need of support to help the family of Saburi Olayinka Adeniji, a devoted husband, loving father, and valued member of Kings Park Rangers Football Club, who is currently in critical condition following a severe brain stem injury.

“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.

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“Due to the severity of his injury, Saburi has been medically classified as brain dead. Due to a recent change in law at the start of this year, there was an initial period of uncertainty & confusion from the hospital which meant life support could not be withdrawn until additional formal testing and procedures were completed. These required assessments have now been carried out.

“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family to travel to the UK so they may be with him before he passes naturally on life support or life support is withdrawn.

“Saburi’s wife and young daughter are currently in Nigeria. An official hospital letter has urgently requested compassionate consideration to allow his wife to travel to the UK as soon as possible so she can be with him and say her final goodbye.”

It added: “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.”

Just over £8,000 has been raised, with the amount set to pay for an emergency visa application, flights and urgent travel expenses, as well as accommodation and living costs for Saburi’s wife while she is in the UK.

A further statement from Kings Park Rangers, who are managed by veteran striker Jamie Cureton, read: “Wow. We have been absolutely blown away by all of the funds raised. At times like this the football and non league community really come together it is so so special.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, retweeted or even spoken about our fundraiser raising awareness is just as important as donating.”

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