Zambia and Brighton & Hove Albion star midfielder Enock Mwepu is forced to retire after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.
The 24-year-old Chipolopolo international midfielder, Mwepu, is said to have fallen ill while on a flight to link up with his Zambian teammates in the FIFA international break last month.
Sky Sports reports that Mwepu returned to English Premier League side, Brighton to undergo further cardiac tests after a period in a hospital in Mali.
The club has since released a statement on Monday and revealed that Mwepu would have an extremely high risk of suffering a fatal cardiac arrest should he continue playing competitive football.
In a statement announcing his retirement, Mwepu revealed he is still planning to remain in football in some capacity after cutting short his career.
“A small boy from a Zambian township called Chambishi has some news to share,” the midfielder wrote.
“He stood strong to follow his dream of playing football at the highest level and by the grace of God he lived his dream by reaching the Premier League.
“Some dreams however come to an end, so it is with sadness that I announce the need to hang up my boots because of the medical advice I have received. This is not the end of my involvement in football, I plan to stay involved in some capacity.”
The Zambia international, Mwepu, featured in six matches for Brighton this season before falling ill in the September international break and the club’s chairman Tony Bloom said they are still shocked as a club.
“We are all absolutely devastated for Enock,” said 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.”
Having also played for Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, the midfielder scored six goals in 23 appearances for the Zambian national team.
“I am so sorry for Enock,” Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi said.
“Before I arrived I looked at 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.”
Main Image: Enock Mwepu/Sky Sports
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