Brighton’s and Zambia International Enock Mwepu has been forced to retire after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.
The 24-year-old was unwell while flying to join Zambia national team in Mali during the international break. He spent time in a hospital in Mali and then underwent further cardiac tests after returning to Brighton.
The tests concluded that Mwepu had a hereditary condition that manifests later in life.
A statement from Brighton said: “The 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.”
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said: “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,”
“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,”
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi 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,”
Brighton’s head of medicine and performance, Adam Brett explained: “It is a terrible blow for Enock, but he has to put his health and his family first and this is the right choice, however difficult it is to quit the game he loves,”
