Who is Enock Mwepu’? Why heart condition forced Brighton star to retire at 24

Enock Mwepu fell sick on a plane – Read all the details on how hereditary heart condition forced Zambian star to retire at 24

Zambian international Enock Mwepu has been forced to retire from football at just 24 years old after he was diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.

Mwepu was signed by English Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion, joining the team on a €23m deal from RB Salzburg in July 2018.

The right-footed central midfielder fell ill while travelling during the international break and has been advised to retire after advanced cardiac tests in Mali and Brighton, England.

Enock Mwepu club career

Mwepu started his professional career at Zambian Super Division side Napsa Stars before moving to Kafue Celtic FC in the Zambian Super League in January 2017.

The budding midfielder played for only 7 months at Kafue Celtic before Austrian Bundesliga side RB Salzburg signed him on a permanent deal in July 2017 for an undisclosed fee.

Mwepu went on loan to second-division side FC Liefering at the start of the 2017/18 season, featuring in 23 matches and scoring six (6) goals in the Erste Liga for FC Liefering before Salzburg recalled him to their first team in July 2018.

The Zambian international shone at RB Salzburg, playing a total of 119 matches and bagging 19 goals across four seasons from 2017/18 to 2020/21.

Brighton and Hove Albion signed Mwepu during the 2021 summer transfer, agreeing to a €23m deal for the Zambian international.

Mwepu played 21 matches for Brighton during the 2021/22 Premier League season and has played six (6) games so far in the 2022/23 season before being forced to retire due to a heart condition.

Why did heart condition force Enock Mwepu to retire?

Mwepu was advised to retire by the medical team at Brighton after extensive tests and cardiac investigations showed that he had a hereditary heart condition that would put him at a high risk of cardiac arrest later in future.

The Zambian international was diagnosed after he fell ill on a flight to join the National team. After several tests, Mwepu was advised to retire because his heart condition could worsen if he continues to play active sports.

Mwepu has not decided on what he will do after retiring from football and Brighton yet.