Fabrice Muamba is set to leave hospital on Friday almost four weeks after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The Bolton midfielder will be discharged from the London Chest Hospital with an electrical device which could save his life in the event of a future cardiac arrest.
An Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) has been inserted under the 24-year-old's collarbone.
Muamba gave staff at the LCH a cake to express his gratitude:
Former Bolton midfielder and Senegal World Cup hero Khalilou Fadiga wore an ICD before he retired from football last year, while in June 2009 Belgium Under-21 international Anthony Van Loo suffered a heart attack during a game before the device initiated and saved his life.
Ex-England Under-21 representative Muamba will be moved 200 miles for ongoing treatment at the Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, closer to his Lancashire home.
He was effectively dead for 78 minutes when his heart stopped working independently after he collapsed during the Trotters' FA Cup quarter-final with Tottenham on 17 March.