Zambian midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to retire at the age of 24 due to a hereditary heart condition.
According to a press statement issued by Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday, October 10, the condition could have put Mwepu’s life at risk if he continued to play the beautiful game.
“Enock Mwepu has been forced to end his playing career following the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition.
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“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,” part of the statement from the Premier League club read.
The statement added that the condition was identified during the recent international break.
According to Brighton, Mwepu was hospitalized in Mali after he fell sick while on the way to link up with his Chipolopolo team mates.
After Mwepu returned to England to undergo further medical check ups, the physicians discovered that he had a heart condition that manifests at the later stages of life, thus they advised him to quit football for his own safety.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema is among hundreds of individuals who have sent Mwepu a good will message following the announcement.
"Thank you Enock Mwepu for pushing the boundaries for Zambian football. We wish you good health and God’s blessings in your next chapter," read his tweet.
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Adam Brett, head of performance and medicine at Brighton stated they will always be there to support the former Red Bull Salzburg player.
“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," ended Brett.
Mwepu revealed after the announcement that he will continue to involve himself with football in other capacities.
"A boy from a small Zambian township called Chambishi has some news to share. 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," he stated.
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