Brighton's Mwepu retires at 24 due to heart condition

Brighton and Hove Albion's Zambian midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to end his playing career aged 24 after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.

In a statement on Monday Brighton said Mwepu's condition, which was not previously evident on regular cardiac screening, puts him at an extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event if he were to continue playing the game competitively.

"It is with sadness that I announce the need to hang up my boots because of the medical advice I have received," Mwepu said in his own statement posted on Twitter.

Mwepu fell ill during the recent international break while on a flight to join up with the Zambian team which he captains. After a period in a hospital in Mali, he returned to Brighton for further tests which revealed his condition.

"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," said Adam Brett, Brighton's Head of Medicine and Performance.

Brett added the club would help Mwepu get the treatment needed to manage his condition.

Mwepu signed for Brighton for an undisclosed fee from Red Bull Salzburg on a four-year deain July 2021.

He scored three goals in 27 appearances for the high-flying Seagulls.

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