Brighton & Hove Albion and Zambia midfielder Enock Mwepu has announced his retirement from football at the age of 24 due to heart condition.
Mwepu has not played since the beginning of September when he got ill on a flight to join up with Zambia during the international break.
The former RB Salzburg midfielder was taken to hospital in Bamako before returning to Brighton to undergo further cardiac tests and ongoing care.
“A boy from a small Zambian township called Chambishi has some news to share,” an emotional Mwepu said in a statement.
“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, however, not the end of my involvement with football. I plan to stay involved in some capacity.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that supported me in my football journey, including my wife and family, my agent 12MAN, the Zambian FA, all my previous clubs, team-mates and coaches and especially everyone at Brighton & Hove Albion.”
Brighton said that the ereditary heart condition, which can worsen over time, would put Enock at an extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event, if he were to continue playing competitive football.
, “We are all absolutely devastated for Enock. 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,” said club chairman Tony Bloom.
“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.”
Before moving to Europe, Mwepu was r enjoyed a spell at Zambian first division side Kafue Celtics, where he starred by scoring seven goals in 29 appearances.
He was outstanding in as Zambia won Under-20 Africa Cup in 2017 as they went on to reach the quarter-finals of the U-20 World Cup in South Korea.
He made 24 Premier League appearances over his one year at the Seagulls, scoring two goals and laying on nine assists.
