Enock Mwepu rejoins Brighton as coach after heart issue forced him to retire

Enock Mwepu has returned to former club Brighton just two months after making the heart-breaking decision to retire from football.

The Zambian announced back in October that he was being forced to hang up his boots having been diagnosed with a heart issue after falling ill while on a flight to link up with his international teammates. The 24-year-old took to social media to confirm the news.

He wrote: "A small boy from a 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 by boots because of the medical advice I have received. This is not the end of my involvement in football, I plan to stay involved in some capacity."

He has followed through on that promise having been confirmed as a coach of Brighton 's under-nine side - a role that he will officially start in 2023. Speaking about the appointment, current Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi said: "We're really happy that Enock has decided to remain here at our club and use his experience to help develop our young players.

"Considering his age, Enock has a wealth of experience. He has played in the Champions League and Premier League, as well as captaining his country. This is the next chapter for Enock in his footballing career."

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Mwepu, formerly a box-to-box midfielder, initially arrived at Brighton in an £18m move from Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg back in the summer of 2021. A four-time champion with his former employers, the 23-time international went on to make 27 appearances for the Seagulls in all competitions, scoring three goals and notching seven assists.

His highlight was arguably a standout performance in a 2-1 victory against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium having teed up Leandro Trossard for the opener before then doubling the lead with a fantastic effort from range.

Speaking further on Mwepu's return to the South Coast, Brighton Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman Paul Barber said: "We were very keen to help Enock with the next stage of his career, and we're delighted he's taken us up on the offer to join our academy coaching staff after an incredibly difficult time for him and his family following his diagnosis.

"Whenever we recruit a new member of staff, on or off the pitch, we want them to fit with our club values and Enock absolutely encapsulates those perfectly.

"We're thrilled Enock will continue to be part of our club, and believe Enock has a huge amount of potential as a coach. We want to give him the opportunity to flourish in this role."