Former Arsenal Youth Star Player Samuel Oji Loses Battle With Illness Aged 35

• Former Arsenal youth star turned assistant manager at non-league outfit Highgate United, Samuel Oji, has died following an illness aged 35
• Oji spent four years with Arsenal as a teenager between 2000 and 2004, before moving to Birmingham City
• The former defender went on to make appearances for several lower-tier teams in England, including Leyton Orient and Bristol Rovers

Arsenal are in mourning the death of their former youth star Samuel Oji, who started his career as a teenager with the Gunners in 2000 but failed to make the grade.

He subsequently moved to Birmingham in 2004 and went on to turn out for a number of English clubs including Doncaster Rovers, Leyton Orient, Bristol Rovers and Hereford United.

Until his death, the former defender was an assistant manager at non-league outfit Highgate United that competes in the Midland League Premier Division.

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Oji's tragic death was confirmed by the ninth tier English side, with the club mourning the 35-year-old as "a leader and legend."

"All it is with a very heavy heart that I am deeply saddened to inform you, that our beloved Captain, Leader and Legend Samuel Oji has sadly passed away," the club said in a statement.

The former player's death came only hours after Highgate United denied media reports he had passed away.

In a tweet sent earlier, the club admitted Oji was "extremely I'll" but "still fighting like a warrior."

Several tributes have since been sent out in the wake of the tragic news, with Leyton Orient and Arsenal among the clubs who have mourned him.

"We are deeply saddened by the news that Samuel Oji has passed away. A graduate from our academy, he was loved by coaches and teammates alike," Arsenal said in a tweet.

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"Our thoughts and condolences are with Samuel’s friends and family," the club added.

Vinny O'Connor, his former teammate at Galway United described Oji as "friendly and accommodating."

"Infectious smile, bubbly personality, always friendly and accommodating," The Sun quoted O'Connor saying.

Arsenal set unwanted record in 118-year history after defeat against Chelsea

In other news, Briefly News previously reported that Arsenal started the new Premier League season with an unwanted record.

Having lost their first game of the 2021/22 Premier League season against Brentford who just promoted to the topflight, the hope of all Gunners fans was their players to redeem themselves against Chelsea.

Unfortunately, Chelsea were a hard nut for them to crack as Romelu Lukaku scored on his debut return before James netted the second goal which condemned Arsenal to a defeat.

Source: Briefly News