Brighton & Hove Albion’s Zambian midfielder Enock Mwepu has retired from professional football following the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition, a club statement said Monday morning.
The statement read: “Enock Mwepu has been forced to end his playing career following the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition, adding that he would be at “an extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event” if he continued playing football.
The 24-year-old was taken ill while on a flight to join up with Zambia during the international break, and after a period in hospital in Mali he returned to Brighton to undergo further cardiac tests and ongoing care.
The tests concluded that his illness is due to a hereditary cardiac condition, which manifests later in life and was not previously evident on regular cardiac screening.
“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.”
The midfielder had featured six times for the Seagulls in the top flight this term but was not selected for the draw at Liverpool nine days ago and also missed Saturday’s home defeat to Tottenham.
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who was unable to select Mwepu for either of his two games in charge, told the club’s website: “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.
Club 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.”
Heart Condition Explained
Adam Brett, Brighton’s head of medicine and performance 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.”
Brett continued: “Of course, given this is Enock’s career and a decision which can’t be taken lightly we have taken our time to be as thorough as possible, completed advanced cardiac investigations and collaborated with clinical experts to gain the best second opinions for Enock.
“We will be helping him make sure the condition is managed with the appropriate treatment for him to otherwise live a long and healthy life.”
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