Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu ends career over heart condition

Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to end his playing career after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.

The Seagulls confirmed the Zambian midfielder has opted to hang up his boots due to the condition, which puts the 24-year-old at an “extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event” should he continue playing.

Mwepu made 27 appearances for the Seagulls after joining from Salzburg in 2021 for a fee in the region of £18 million.

Mwepu said in a statement: “A boy from a small 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 my boots because of the medical advice I have received.

“This is however not the end of my involvement with football, I plan to stay involved in some capacity.

“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.”

Club 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.”

Head coach 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.”