In his first statement since the incident, the 29-year-old footballer thanked "the players, staff, doctors and paramedics" for their "heroic actions".

"I feel thankful that this happened to me surrounded by these heroes. They saved my life. I will never forget what you did for me," he said.

Lockyer collapsed during Luton's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on 16 December, with the game abandoned shortly after half time at 1-1.

He was stretchered off surrounded by the medical team to a standing ovation from the crowd and given further treatment at the ground, before being taken to hospital.

In a post on social media, Lockyer lists the names of those who treated him, and adds: "I have been overwhelmed by the support that I have received and thank you all for your messages, letters, gifts and well wishes.

"Seeing the banners at the ground and hearing my name being sung really did mean a lot to me and my family."

The footballer also praised his teammates, saying he feels "full of pride watching the boys carry on the battle without me".

"The fighting spirit I've seen in the last three games has given me a much needed lift," he said.

"I will be doing whatever I can in whichever ways are possible to help the gaffer and the club. In what capacity that is remains to be decided as I'm due to meet with specialists in the new year."

Lockyer also urged his followers to learn CPR, saying it "literally saves lives, like mine", before again thanking fans for their support.

Luton's captain was discharged from hospital just before Christmas after he had a "successful procedure" to fit an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device.

The club are currently 18th in the Premier League, just one point behind Everton. In their last three games, Luton beat Newcastle and Sheffield United, before narrowly losing to Chelsea in a 3-2 thriller on Friday.

The incident in Bournemouth marked the second time the Welsh international collapsed during a game in 2023.

Lockyer was stretchered off the pitch after falling to the ground 12 minutes into Luton's play-off final against Coventry City in May.

Speaking to Sky Sports in June, Lockyer confirmed he had an atrial flutter, a type of heart arrhythmia which he said was "probably the least severe heart condition you could have".

He underwent corrective surgery shortly after the collapse, and was "given the all-clear" to play in the Premier League.

'He seems bored already' - Edwards

Luton manager Rob Edwards also gave a light-hearted update about his captain, saying Lockyer is "bored already" with not playing football.

He told a press conference on Friday: "I speak to him every day. He is progressing. He seems bored already, but in generally good spirits, which is really good.

"He was taking the mick out of my Christmas trainers against (Sheffield United), so yeah he is doing well."

Edwards also told TNT Sports on Friday of how Lockyer's collapse impacted the team, sharing: "The lads probably saw me crying like three times in a week - I don't think there's anything wrong with showing vulnerability and emotion.

"The players saw that we all care for each other, we always stress that when we sign a new player. I always say you'll get respect, honesty and time.

"There were a lot of emotions, the players would have seen different sides of me, different sides of the staff. We're human beings."