Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to retire from football after he was diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition. After spending some time in a hospital in Mali, the 24-year-old went to Brighton for more heart testing after becoming ill last month while traveling to meet up with his Zambian colleagues during the international break. Mwepu would be at extremely high risk of dying from a “fatal cardiac arrest” if he continued to play competitive football, according to a statement issued by Brighton on Monday morning. Mwepu took the field in each of Brighton’s six Premier League matches before to the September international break. Since joining the squad in July 2021 after leaving Red Bull Salzburg, he has made 27 appearances. The midfielder appeared in 23 games for Zambia’s national team and netted six goals during that time.
“A young child from the Chambishi community in Zambia has some news to give,” Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu said. “By God’s help, he was able to realise his dream of playing professional football after remaining steadfast in his resolve to do so. However, some dreams must come true, therefore it is with sadness that I notify you that, in accordance with your medical advice, I must hang up my boots. This is not the end of my engagement with football; it will continue in some capacity.”
“For Enock, we are all utterly devastated,” said Brighton chairman Tony Bloom. “While we are just thankful he has survived the horrifying few weeks he has been through with his family, he has lost a promising career at such a young age. The club will do all possible to help him recover fully so that he may decide what to do with the rest of his life.”
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