Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to end his playing career at the age of 24 after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.
Were Mwepu to continue playing competitively, he would be put at high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac arrest. The midfielder fell ill while travelling to represent Zambia on international duty and soon returned to Brighton for medical tests.
These tests concluded that the illness was due to a hereditary cardiac condition, which can be worsened by sporting activity. As a result, Mwepu was advised to stop his playing career, a decision which he has taken.
Mwepu has taken to social media to thank those who played a significant part in his career. He said: “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 specially everyone at Brighton & Hove Albion.”
Mwepu joined Brighton from RB Salzburg in 2021 and has been greeted with support by those in charge at the Seagulls.
In an official statement released by the 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.”
Roberto De Zerbi, who took over from Graham Potter as Head Coach in September, 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.”
Enock Mwepu has been forced to end his playing career following the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition.
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 10, 2022
Adam Brett, Brighton’s Head of Medicine and Performance, revealed: “It is a terrible blow for Enock, but he has to put his health and his family first and this is the right choice, however difficult it is to quit the game he loves.
“Of course, given this is Enock’s career and a decision which can’t be taken lightly we have taken our time to be as thorough as possible, completed advanced cardiac investigations and collaborated with clinical experts to gain the best second opinions for Enock.
“We will be helping him make sure the condition is managed with the appropriate treatment for him to otherwise live a long and healthy life.”
