![]() ![]() “Before I arrived I looked at all the squad, and he was a player I was so excited and looking forward to working with. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who took charge earlier this month following Graham Potter’s move to Chelsea, added: “I am so sorry for Enock. “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.” 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. He has featured in six of Brighton’s matches so far this season.Ĭlub chairman Tony Bloom said: “We are all absolutely devastated for Enock. Mwepu joined the Seagulls from RB Salzburg in July 2021, signing a four-year deal, and scored two goals across 18 Premier League appearances last campaign. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that supported me in my football journey, including my wife and family, my agent 12MAN, the Zambian FA, all my previous clubs, team-mates and coaches, and especially everyone at Brighton & Hove Albion.” This is however not the end of my involvement with football, I plan to stay involved in some capacity. “Some dreams however come to an end, so it is with sadness I announce the need to hang up my boots because of medical advice I have received. 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. Mwepu shared his story on Twitter, writing: “A boy from a small Zambian township called Chambishi has some news to share. Sadly this can be exacerbated by playing sport so Enock has been advised that the only option, for the sake of his own safety, is for him to stop playing football.” “ have concluded that his illness is due to a hereditary cardiac condition, which manifests later in life and was not previously evident on regular cardiac screening. He spent time in a Malian hospital then flew back to Brighton, where tests revealed the hereditary condition.Ī statement from Albion read: “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. The Zambia player was ruled out during the most recent international break after he was taken ill on the flight to meet up with his national teammates. “The last result (against Tottenham) was not fair and now we have the possibility to win the next game.Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu has retired from football at the age of 24 after being diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening heart condition. But we can play our football and they can suffer as well with our skill, ability and style of play. “We can suffer against Brentford because they are a good team. It would have been a lot worse if something bad had happened to him during a game of football.”Īside from Mwepu’s sudden retirement, De Zerbi revealed he has no fresh injury concerns ahead of his side’s trip to face the Bees.ĭe Zerbi, who has overseen a 3-3 draw and 1-0 home defeat against Tottenham since replacing Graham Potter, added: “If you are fighting in the Premier League, you have to know that all games can be very difficult and you have to be ready to fight every opponent. “At the same time, his loved ones need him around now. ![]() Muamba, 34, who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Bolton 10 years ago, said: “He’s allowed to feel like his career has been taken away from him at such a young age. Speaking to BBC Sport, former Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba said Mwepu is right to be aggrieved at having to call time on his playing days. He spent time in a Malian hospital then flew back to Brighton, where tests revealed his heart condition. Mwepu was taken ill on a flight to meet up with his Zambia team-mates for the recent international break. “I wrote a message, to him, two or three days ago, and I said I am always ready to listen to what Enoch wants to be and what he wants to do. “I want to speak about the human problem, and I am very sorry for him and his family. He has featured in six of Brighton’s matches so far this season.ĭe Zerbi, who will take charge of his third game in charge of the Seagulls for Friday night’s fixture at Brentford, said: “I don’t want to speak about money. The Zambia international, 24, was told by club doctors earlier this week that he would risk his life if he did not call time on his career. Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has told Enock Mwepu he is ready to help him after the midfielder was forced to retire early with a hereditary heart problem. ![]()
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