Declan Rice
Former West Ham skipper Declan Rice has paid tribute to Oscar Fairs, who has died aged 15
Declan Rice has offered West Ham a consolatory message following the tragic death of West Ham academy starlet Oscar Fairs.
The Hammers confirmed on Friday that the 15-year-old had passed following a brave battle with cancer. His death was announced in an emotional statement from former midfielder and current sporting director Mark Noble.
He said: "Oscar was adored by everyone at the Academy - not only was he a great goalkeeper, he was a true Hammer and a fantastic young person, who will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.
"I have wonderful memories of Oscar playing in my garden - Lenny and his teammates all loved him. He was a friendly, happy, well-mannered and polite young man, who had such a bright future ahead of him, and it is just so unimaginably devastating that he has been taken from his family and friends at this age.
[
Teenage West Ham United footballer dies after brave cancer battle](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-west-ham-oscar-fairs-34311621)
Noble added: "The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at the Club are with Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time. Rest in peace, brave Oscar."
One of the club’s other former midfielders and captains, Rice, also shared a touching message after the news was released. Sharing the news on his Instagram story, the Arsenal star wrote: “Rest in peace Oscar,” alongside a red heart emoji.
West Ham have announced plans to honour their young star following his death. Friday evening’s PL2 under-21 match clash with Stoke was postponed, alongside all academy fixtures.
West Ham United's Under-15s goalkeeper Oscar Fairs has tragically died
West Ham United's Under-15s goalkeeper Oscar Fairs has tragically died
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Meanwhile, Noble also said that “the Club will also share information on our plans to pay tribute to Oscar, and we will ensure that his name is never forgotten at West Ham United”. The Hammers are next back in action on Monday evening as they travel to the South Coast to face Bournemouth.
Fairs was diagnosed with an ependymoma, a rare tumour that grows in the brain or spinal cord, in August 2023. He was initially misdiagnosed with mental health problems and migraines.
The youngster had been suffering from heart palpitations, right-sided weakness, headaches and sickness. An MRI scan revealed that he had a 9cm tumour on the left side of his brain. It was attached to his motor system, with a further three cysts on the outside.
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