Ex-Brighton star Enock Mwepu 'rushed to hospital' after suspected heart attack

Former Premier League midfielder Enock Mwepu has been rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack, according to reports in his native Zambia.

Having impresed at Brighton last season, Mwepu was tragically forced to retire at the age of 24 in October 2022 due to a hereditary heart condition. The Zambian Observer claims he endured what is believed to have been a heart attack on Sunday morning and was taken to University Teaching Hospital.

The incident is said to have occurred while he was driving towards the town of Kabangwe, on the outskirts of the capital, Lusaka, and his car was seen swerving on a major road. The report does not provide an update on Mwepu's condition, simply stating that he was rushed to hospital for treatment.

"Mwepu was driving along Great North Road near Kabangwe area, he was heading out of town," a source told the Zambian outlet. "So, its like he started having obvious heart issues. When he started having cardiac arrest, he started driving zig zag. Then he eventually parked, and came out of the vehicle and fell."

Mwepu retired from playing after making 169 appearances in his club career, representing the likes of Red Bull Salzburg and Brighton. He won the Austrian top flight four times with Salzburg and three Austrian Cups, while he also racked up six goals in 23 appearances for Zambia.

The condition Mwepu was diagnosed with could have worsened over time if he kept playing. The issue was unearthed after he was taken ill on a flight to join up with his Zambia teammates, and he spent time in hospital in Mali under observation before returning to Brighton.

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In a moving statement on Twitter confirming his retirement, Mwepu wrote: "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, teammates and coaches, and specially everyone at Brighton and Hove Albion."

After announcing his retirement, it was announced that Mwepu would return to Brighton as a coach for their under-9 team.