Soccer. Premier League player forced to retire due to heart problem
Brighton and Zambia midfielder Enock Mwepu will have to retire from football aged 24 due to an inherited heart condition, his club announced on Monday (October 10th).
This disease, which can worsen with age, causes « an extremely high risk of suffering a life-threatening cardiac arrest if he continues to play competitive football » explained the Seagulls.
First signs in September
The player felt ill during a flight to join Zambia during the last international break in September, and after hospitalization in Mali, he underwent further tests on his return to England.
“These examinations concluded that his disease is due to an inherited heart condition which manifests later in life and which was not detectable during regular cardiac examinations until now”detailed the club.
“Unfortunately playing sport can make it worse and Enock has therefore been advised, as the only solution and for his own safety, to stop playing football”he concluded.
Author of three goals in 27 appearances with Brighton, Mwepu explained on Twitter that he had » realized (his) dream while playing in the Premier League”.
“However, some dreams come to an end and it is with sadness that I announce that I have to hang up my cleats due to the medical advice I have received”he continued, assuring however “staying involved in one form or another” in soccer.
READ ALSO. Premier League. FA open investigation after Henderson-Gabriel altercation
“We are all absolutely appalled for Enock”commented club president Tony Bloom, regretting to see “a career so promising to stop at such a young age”.
Mwepu’s last game, arriving in Brighton in 2021 from Red Bull Salzburg, was the 5-2 win over Leicester in early September.
