Brighton's Enock Mwepu retires at age 24 due to heart condition

The English Premier League side announced on Monday, October 10, 2022, that the Zambian has been diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition and has been forced to retire.

According to Brighton, Mwepu was initially admitted to a hospital in Mali during the international break while on his way to join his Zambian teammates.

He later returned to England for extensive testing and was later diagnosed with a heart condition, which is hereditary.

The club's statement explained that the condition can worsen over time and would put the player at high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac, hence he had to end his playing career.

"The condition, which can worsen over time, would put Enock at an extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event, if he were to continue playing competitive football."

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," he said as quoted by the club's website

“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,” he added.

Head coach 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.”

Enock Mwepu joined Brighton in 2021 from RB Salzburg for a fee of 23 million euros. He played a total of 27 matches, scored 3 goals and provided 7 assists.

He won a total of 7 trophies in his short career. In his international career, he made 26 appearances for the Chipolopolos of Zambia, scoring 6 goals.

EE/BOG