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Brighton Midfielder, Mwepu forced to retire at 24
Brighton Midfielder, Mwepu forced to retire at 24
The 24-year-old fell ill on a flight to join his Zambia teammates during the international break last month; the condition is so severe that Mwepu is very likely to suffer a cardiac arrest if he continues to play football.
Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to retire at the age of 24 after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.
The 24-year-old fell ill on a flight to join his Zambia teammates during the international break last month and returned to Brighton to undergo additional cardiac tests after a stay in Mali.
According to a statement issued by Brighton on Monday morning, Mwepu is at an extremely high risk of suffering a “fatal cardiac arrest” if he continues to play competitive football.
— Enock Mwepu (@EnockMwepu45) October 10, 2022
Mwepu revealed in a statement announcing his retirement that he still intends to stay in football in some capacity after calling it quits.
“A small boy from a Zambian township called Chambishi has some news to share,” the midfielder wrote. “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.”
“We are all absolutely devastated for Enock,” said Brighton chairman Tony Bloom. “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.”
Mwepu appeared in all six of Brighton’s Premier League games before the September international break this season, and he has appeared in 27 games for the club since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in July 2021. In 23 appearances for the Zambian national team, the midfielder also scored six goals.
His manager, Roberto De Zerbi said: “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.”
