(Football news) Enock Mwepu, the Zambian and Brighton midfielder, has been forced to retire at the age of 24 due to an inherited heart condition. Mwepu has been diagnosed with a heart condition that could get worse over time if not treated properly, putting him at risk of a possibly fatal cardiac arrest. The midfielder moved to Brighton from Red Bull Salzburg in summer of 2021 and he made 27 appearances for the Seagulls including three goals at his time with Brighton. His career has now been cut dramatically short as a serious health issue forcing him to hang up his boots. Mwepu recently was taken ill while on a flight to join the Zambian squad during the last international break, leading him to spend time in hospital before returning to Brighton to undergo a cardiac test.
Mwepu initially started his professional footballing career in the Zambian Super Division with Napsa Stars before moving to Kafue Celtic FC in the Zambian Super League in January 2017. The midfielder played for only 7 months at Kafue Celtic before Austrian side RB Salzburg signed him on a permanent deal in July 2017 for an undisclosed fee. Mwepu they went on loan to second-division side and sister team FC Liefering at the start of the 2017/18 season, where he featured in 23 matches and scoring six goals in the Erste Liga for FC Liefering before Salzburg recalled him directly into their first team in July 2018.
The Zambian international had a brilliant career at RB Salzburg, playing a total of 119 matches and scoring 19 goals across four seasons from 2017/18 to 2020/21. Brighton and Hove Albion scouted him intensively before he was signed during the 2021 summer transfer, agreeing to a fee of €23m. Mwepu played 21 matches for Brighton during the 2021/22 Premier League season and has played six games so far this season before being forced to retire due to a heart condition.
In a statement on Twitter, Mwepu said "A boy from a small Zambian town 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 to end my involvement with football, I plan to stay involved in some capacity."
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi added: “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.”
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