Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu forced to retire aged 24 due to heart condition

Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to end his playing career aged just 24 due to a hereditary heart condition.

The Zambia international was signed from Red Bull Salzburg last year in an £18 million deal and has made six Premier League appearances this season.

Mwepu was taken ill during a flight to join up with Zambia’s national team during the recent international break and after spending time in hospital in Mali he returned to Brighton to undergo further cardiac tests.

The tests subsequently confirmed that Mwepu’s illness is due to a hereditary cardiac condition, which was not previously seen during his cardiac screenings.

In their statement on Monday, Brighton claim that the condition would put Mwepu ‘at an extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event’ if he were to continue his playing career.

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‘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 lives his dream by reaching the Premier League,’ Mwepu said in a statement.

‘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.

‘would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that supported me in my football journey, including my wide, and family, my agent 12MAN, the Zambian FA, all my previous clubs, teammates and coaches, and specially everyone at Brighton & Hove Albion.’

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi said: ‘I am so sorry for Enock.