BREAKING: Former Chelsea star, undergoes heart surgery after being rushed to hospital just hours after his winning goal sent his club into the playoffs
Former Chelsea defender Sam Hutchinson had heart surgery having experienced complications after a League Two match earlier this month.
The AFC Wimbledon defensive midfielder scored the winning goal against Grimsby which secured the Dons’ place in the play-offs.
Hutchinson played the full 90 minutes but complained of chest pains during his post-match interview. He was taken to hospital on the journey back where he was treated and assessed in Queens Medical Centre and City Hospital in Nottingham.
‘To be fair, I felt like rubbish during the game for some reason. I had a really tight chest,’ he said after the match.
‘I wanted to come off in the first six minutes but I had to battle on like an old warhorse.’
The 35-year-old’s health scare forced him to miss AFC Wimbledon’s semi-final first leg against Notts County last weekend and the club have now confirmed that he has gone under the knife.
‘The club can confirm that Sam Hutchinson suffered heart complications following the win at Grimsby Town earlier this month,’ a statement read.
‘Sam was taken to hospital on the journey back where he was treated and assessed. Sam then had a successful procedure at the end of last week in London and he now has a clear return to play plan in place.
‘Everyone at Wimbledon extends their best wishes to Sam who is now recovering at home with his family. Hutchinson has played a key part of the team’s success this season including scoring the winning goal to clinch our play-off place against Grimsby Town.
‘Whilst he is recovering, Sam continues to have an impact on the squad and we are hopeful we can end the season positively for Sam.
‘The club would like to place on record their sincere thanks for the support and care provided at Queens Medical Centre and City Hospital in Nottingham, as well as Cleveland Hospital in London.’
Hutchinson came through the academy at Chelsea and made his senior debut under Jose Mourinho in 2007. He was forced to retire from the game in 2010 after recurring knee injuries but reversed his decision after 18 months of rehab.
He joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2014 having had loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem while a Chelsea player. After eight years at Wednesday, Hutchinson joined Reading where he spent the last two seasons.