West Ham confirm Michail Antonio involved in road traffic accident

West Ham forward Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident, the Premier League club have announced.

The 34-year-old is conscious after being taken to hospital in London following the incident in Essex on Saturday afternoon.

The update was issued after unverified images of a heavily damaged Ferrari began to circulate online.

A club statement read: “West Ham United can confirm that Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident this afternoon in the Essex area.

“Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital.

“At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family.

“The club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course.”

Antonio, a Jamaica international, is in his 10th season with West Ham after joining the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015. He has scored 83 goals in 323 appearances for the London side.

The 34-year-old began his footballing journey with non-League Tooting and Mitcham before moving into the professional ranks with Reading.

He has also had spells with Cheltenham, Southampton, Colchester and Sheffield Wednesday.

A number of West Ham’s rival clubs immediately posted well wishes.

A social media post from Arsenal read: “Everyone at Arsenal sends their love, support and well wishes to Michail, his family and West Ham United.”

Chelsea said: “The thoughts of everyone at Chelsea FC are with Michail and his family.”

A message from Liverpool read: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at LFC are with Michail and his family.”