Brighton’s Enock Mwepu retires from football over heart condition

Brighton midfielder, Enock Mwepu, has announced retirement after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.

The 24-year-old midfielder fell ill while on a flight to link up with his Zambia team-mates in the international break last month and returned to Brighton to undergo further cardiac tests after a period in hospital in Mali.

Announcing his retirement via a statement issued on Monday, Mwepu said he is still planning to remain in football in some capacity after cutting short his career.

He stated: “A small boy from a 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 by boots because of the medical advice I have received. This is not the end of my involvement in football, I plan to stay involved in some capacity.”

Reacting, Brighton 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.”

On his part, Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi, said: “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. We will do everything we can to help him.”

Enock Mwepu featured in all six of Brighton’s Premier League games this season before the September international break and played 27 times for the club since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in July 2021.

The midfielder scored six goals in 23 appearances for the Zambian national team.

The Star