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Your support makes all the difference.Fabrice Muamba admitted he will "forever be in debt" to the doctors who saved his life after he was today released from hospital, 30 days after being admitted following his horrifying cardiac arrest.
Muamba was rushed to the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green, east London, on March 17 after collapsing on the pitch during Bolton's FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Doctors revealed afterwards that the 24-year-old's heart had stopped beating for 78 minutes, but he was eventually stabilised and went on to make a recovery which some described as "miraculous".
Despite initial worries the midfielder would die, he started talking two days after his collapse and began walking just over a fortnight later.
Today Bolton and the London Chest Hospital announced that Muamba had been discharged and released a photograph showing the former England Under-21 international shaking hands with Dr Andrew Deaner, who leapt from the crowd at White Hart Lane to help Muamba, and his colleague Dr Sam Mohiddin.
Muamba, who received messages of support from across the world while in hospital, said: "I am naturally very pleased to be discharged from hospital and would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to every single member of staff at the London Chest Hospital who have played a part in my care.
"Their dedication, professionalism and expertise is simply amazing and I will forever be in their debt. I also wish to say thank you to all the many well-wishers who have sent thousands of messages of support.
"Now I am out of hospital, I am looking forward to continuing my recovery and spending precious time with my family."
Bolton manager Owen Coyle was stunned at watching his midfielder fall flat on to the turf last month, shouting "he's just collapsed" before running on to the pitch to come to his player's aid.
The Scot, and other members of Bolton's coaching and playing staff, visited Muamba on a number of occasions throughout his stay there and was delighted that the former Arsenal man has been discharged.
"It is absolutely fantastic news that Fabrice has been discharged from hospital and everyone at the club is delighted," he said.
"We would also like to add our thanks to the staff at the London Chest Hospital for their care and treatment of Fabrice, which has been outstanding.
"It is important that Fabrice and his family are now given time and space to be together, and we would ask the media to continue to respect their privacy."
The hospital, who were originally inundated with letters and flowers for Muamba, wished the young player a safe and full recovery.
"Barts Health can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has now been discharged following several weeks of treatment," the hospital said in a statement.
"All our staff wish him the very best in his ongoing recovery."
Players from Real Madrid and Barcelona gave their support to Muamba during his recovery by wearing 'get well soon' t-shirts while leading figures from the game took to Twitter to offer their best wishes in the aftermath of his cardiac arrest.
Today Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden Tweeted "Yesss big Fab :-)))" upon hearing of his team-mate's release while Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor was elated at the news.
"That is probably the best piece of news we have had in 2012," Taylor told Press Association Sport
"Everyone is very grateful for the way the staff of both clubs dealt with it and the way that the hospital have treated Fabrice.
"It is a great tribute to the battling qualities that Fabrice obviously has that he has pulled through this.
"Watching the game, like everyone, I feared the worst. With everyone that was praying for him at the time in the football world and beyond, you have to believe the power of prayer has had an effect."
It is not known whether Muamba, who signed for Bolton in 2008, will ever play again.
Muamba's release comes just two days after Livorno player Piermario Morosini died after suffering a suspected heart attack during the Italian club's Serie B game against Pescara.
PA
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