Brighton confirm shock retirement of Enock Mwepu due to heart condition

Mwepu has ended his playing career with immediate effect

Brighton and Hove Albion have confirmed that midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to call time on his playing career due to the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition. A statement from the Premier League club said that the Zambian international was living with a condition which was likely to worsen over time, leaving him at 'extremely high risk' of suffering a cardiac arrest if he were to continue playing football at a competitive level. Mwepu, who joined Brighton from Red Bull Salzburg last year, took ill while flying to join up with his national side during the recent international break. He spent a period of time in Mali before returning to Brighton to undergo a series of cardiac tests. Those examinations have discovered a hereditary condition that had not shown on previous cardiac screening. The condition is known to be exacerbated by intense exercise, leaving the 24-year-old with no option but to call time on his playing career for his own safety. [caption id="attachment_362686" align="alignnone" width="640"] Mwepu celebrates after scoring against Arsenal last season[/caption]

Brighton 'absolutely devastated'

"We are all absolutely devastated for Enock," said Brighton's chairman Tony Bloom. "He and his family have had a traumatic few weeks and while we are just thankful he has come through that period, he has seen such a promising career cut short at such a young age. "As a club we will give him all the love, help and support we possibly can to make a full recovery, and then as he decides on the next steps in his life." Roberto De Zerbi, the club's recently appointed head coach, added,: "I am so sorry for Enock. Before I arrived I looked at all the squad, and he was a player I was so excited and looking forward to working with. "We will do everything we can to help him." https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/1579394152231567361

Mwepu vows not to end involvement in football

Mwepu has also posted a statement of his own, confirming his intention to remain involved in football, despite being forced to end his dream of playing in the Premier League. https://twitter.com/EnockMwepu45/status/1579397214124011520 More football news:

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