By Peter Dansu
Tragedy has struck the Nigerian football community following the death of Saburi Adeniji, a UK based Nigerian footballer who succumbed to a severe brain stem injury after weeks in intensive care.
Adeniji, popularly known as Ola, was a left winger for Kings Park Rangers Football Club in the United Kingdom. The club confirmed his passing in an emotional statement on Saturday, revealing that he died on Friday morning after bravely holding on in hopes of seeing his family one last time.
According to the club, arrangements had been made for his wife and young daughter to travel from Nigeria to the UK, but heartbreakingly, they arrived a day after his death.
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.
Describing him as more than just a footballer, Kings Park Rangers paid glowing tribute to Adeniji as a devoted husband, loving father and cherished teammate.
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 had raised the alarm over his worsening health condition. On January 17, the team announced that their winger had been admitted into intensive care and suspended all matches to stand by his bedside in solidarity.
As his condition deteriorated, Kings Park Rangers launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise emergency funds to bring his family to the UK.
In a detailed update on the fundraising page, the club disclosed that Adeniji was admitted into Queen’s Hospital on January 15, 2026, where doctors confirmed he had suffered a devastating brain stem injury.
Medical specialists later classified him as brain dead, noting that his condition had continued to decline and that death was imminent.
The statement explained that recent changes in UK medical procedures delayed the withdrawal of life support, allowing a brief window for his family to travel in hopes of seeing him before he passed.
The fundraising drive covered urgent visa processing, flight tickets, accommodation and living expenses for his wife and four year old daughter who were based in Nigeria.
Beyond reuniting the family, the club said part of the funds would support Adeniji’s widow and help secure the future and education of his young daughter.
Saburi leaves behind a four year old daughter whom he adored. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and was deeply committed to giving her a good education and a better future, the club noted.
Kings Park Rangers described his death as devastating and urged the football community to rally around the grieving family during the painful period.
This is a moment for the football world to come together players clubs teammates supporters and friends, the club said.
Adeniji’s sudden passing has left fans, teammates and loved ones in mourning, a painful reminder of how swiftly life can be taken, even when hope remains.
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