Zambia & Brighton midfielder Enock Mpewu forced to retire with heart condition

Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to retire from football because of a hereditary heart condition.

The club said Mwepu, 24, would be at an “extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event” if he continued playing competitive football.

Mwepu had recently fallen ill on a trip with the Zambia national team to Mali.

He was unable to train after arriving in West Africa last month and spent four days in hospital.

In a statement on Twitter, Mwepu said he had “lived his dream by reaching the Premier League”, but that “some dreams come to an end”.

“It is with sadness that I announce the need to hang up my boots because of the medical advice I have received,” Mwepu said.

The versatile player joined Brighton from Red Bull Salzburg on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee in July 2021.

He scored three goals in 27 appearances for the club and last played in the 5-2 win over Leicester City in September.

Source: BBC