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Ex-Arsenal youth player Sam Oji dies aged 35 after battle with illness with old clubs Birmingham and Leyton Orient paying tribute to former defender

Former Arsenal youth player and Birmingham City defender Sam Oji has died at the age of 35.

Oji, who is the cousin of singer Lemar, started his career with the Gunners in 2000 but signed for Birmingham after failing to progress to the first-team.

Most recently, Oji was working as assistant manager at non-league outfit Highgate United, who play in the ninth tier of English football. The club said Oji was 'extremely ill' on Friday night but was 'fighting like a warrior' before confirming his death on Saturday night.

Former Arsenal youth player and Birmingham City defender Sam Oji has died at the age of 35

On Friday, they wrote: 'There has been various comments posted across social media throughout the day with regards the welfare of Samuel Oji.