JACK WILSHERE has revealed that he "100 per cent" feared losing his daughter to a heart condition.
The former Arsenal star, 32, has become an ambassador for the following his brave daughter Siena's battle.
SunSport columnist Wilshere married partner Andriani in 2017, with the pair subsequently welcoming Siena in May 2018.
During a trip to Cyprus doctors urged Wilshere to take his daughter, five, to see a cardiologist after detecting a heart murmur.
Siena was subsequently diagnosed with a congenital heart defect - as Wilshere himself describes - "a hole in her heart".
Reflecting on the terrifying ordeal, Wilshere told : "I was preparing to travel with the team, my team, for a game, like we normally do and my phone rang."
Andriani then choked back tears as she added: "I remember just falling to the floor and crying, I just couldn't believe the news. It was shocking."
Asked if he thought he "might lose" his daughter, Wilshere continued: "Yeah, 100 per cent."
Brave Siena had to undergo five hours of heart surgery in March.
"Going into ICU and seeing your daughter there, sleeping with all these wires," Wilshere reflected.
Andriani added: "I just remember hearing her cry and I just burst into tears because I knew she was alright, I knew she was going to be okay, it was just the recovery."
Wilshere and Andriani had already spotted signs that something was wrong.
Andriani said: "She was getting chest infections, tonsillitis, was on antibiotics a lot and we were in and out of the doctors room constantly.
"We were told it was exercising due to asthma because I noticed, especially at kids birthday parties or when she is on the trampoline, the more she was doing exercise, she was having coughing fits."
Wilshere later added: "We're really proud of what she's been through and her journey.
"I was a footballer and I went through a lot of surgeries and I know how hard it is to recover and these are nothing compared to what she went through as a five-year-old.
"To bounce back the way that she did... a lot of courage and I'm proud of her.
"There's so many warriors out there and hopefully we can give parents support, get more research into it and try to make a difference to the parents' lives and the children's."
By Emillia Hawkins
Congenital heart disease is a fault or problem with the heart that has been present from birth.
It develops in the womb, before a baby is born.
The most common types include; septal defects such as ventricular and atrial – a hole between two of the heart’s chambers, coarctation of the aorta – narrowing of the body’s main artery, and pulmonary valve stenosis – narrowing of the pulmonary valve.
Symptoms include; a fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, tiredness and a blue colour to the skin and lips.
Many people with congenital heart disease do not need treatment and can live a normal life, but some may need medicine, heart surgery or other procedures.
Family man Wilshere has two children with former partner Lauren Neal; son Archie, born in 2011, and daughter Delilah Grace, born in 2013.
After marrying Andriani in 2017, Wilshere proudly welcomed daughter Siena a year later, before having son Jack in February 2020.
The former England international came through as a teenage prodigy at Arsenal, going on to make 197 appearances for the Gunners.
After being plagued by injuries he left the Emirates for West Ham in 2018.
Wilshere eventually hung up his boots in 2022 aged 30 following a spell with Danish side AGF.
He has since worked as head coach of Arsenal's Under-18 side.
