Connor Goldson Set To Undergo Second Heart Surgery

Former Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back and cult hero, Connor Goldson, is set to undergo a second round of heart surgery around nine years later. 

Back in the 2016/17 season, when the Seagulls were promoted to the Premier League, Goldson was a key figure in the squad.

The Englishman played alongside Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy during the Championship era and into the early seasons of the top flight. 

However, things took a turn when the club found a heart issue called an aortic aneurysm when he was aged 24. This was instantly a direct threat to life; if this were to burst, the consequences would have been catastrophic.

This surgery was life-saving for Goldson and even had him back playing on the pitch in the following season. His song "Always Believe in Connor Gold-son' became a staple of the Amex crowd in their promotion campaign. 

He has announced that he will have a second open-heart surgery this Tuesday, only 10 days after feeling ready to come back to pre-season ahead of the new season. He explained in his social media video that he felt 'angry' and that his children saw him cry for the first time. 

Goldson explained that despite the fear, his gratitude towards the routine medical checks and the medics who identified his enlarged aorta. He went on to say that if the surgery is to go well, his footballing story isn't finished yet. 

It is an emotional piece to write as a fan who has watched his career since he stepped through the doors at the club back in 2016, coming from Shrewsbury Town. At the same time, it is incredible that the medical staff have been able to identify his heart problems before anything beyond belief could have happened to him. 

Back when Goldson underwent his surgery during his time at Brighton, former Albion goalkeeper David Stockdale said in 2017 that he would "quit football if it meant he would stay alive".

He went on to have an incredible career during his time at Rangers, including playing in the Europa League and Champions League and winning trophies at the Scottish giants. 

Connor Goldson said to the British Heart Foundation in 2023 that his father had a heart attack when he was younger, too, and thankfully is still alive. He has tattooed his chest with the words "chase your dreams" written, with his scarring running through the middle. 

Goldon's influence on health checking and his focus on his heart were largely inspired by his father, and his many fans will feel inspired too. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Connor and his family ahead of another life-changing week. Nine years later, the defender has the exact same support from every fanbase connected to him. Always believe in.