Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu forced to retire from football aged 24

The Zambian, who arrived from Red Bull Salzburg in 2021, has been diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition, a club statement revealed on Monday.

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The club added that the condition 'can worsen over time' putting Mwepu as 'extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event, if he were to continue playing competitive football'.

The issue was discovered while the midfielder was away on international duty and spent a period of time in hospital in Mali before returning to England for further cardiac tests.

Those exams concluded that his illness is due to a hereditary condition which was not previously evident on cardiac screening.

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Mwepu posted a message on social media saying: "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.

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"This is however not the end of my involvement with football, I play 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.

"Enock 'Computer' Mwepu."

Club chairman Tony Bloom said in a statement: "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.

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"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."

Recently appointed manager 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."

Brighton's head of medicine and performance, Adam Brett, also commented, saying: "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.

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"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."