Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu has retired from soccer at age of 24 because of a hereditary heart condition, the Premier League club said.
Enock Mwepu : Retirement | Heart issue | Condition
Enock Mwepu is a Zambian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Enock Mwepu | ||
| Date of birth | 1 January 1998 | ||
| Place of birth | Lusaka, Zambia | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Mwepu’s career began with Kafue Celtic in Lusaka before being identified with the 2013 Airtel Rising Stars.
During the 2015–16 season, Mwepu had little game time with Power Dynamos football club of Copperbelt; this precipitated into a move to NAPSA Stars at the end of the 2016 season.
Retirement
Brighton have announced that Enock Mwepu has been forced to retire at the age of 24 following the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition.
The midfielder moved to England from Red Bull Salzburg in summer 2021 and has taken in 27 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring three goals.
His career has now been cut dramatically short, with a serious health scare forcing him to hang up his boots.
Mwepu was taken ill while on a flight to link up with the Zambia squad during the last break in domestic action, leading to him spending time in hospital before returning to Brighton to undergo cardiac tests.
Seagulls chairman Tony Bloom has told the club’s official website: “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.”
Brighton boss 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 Heart issue
Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu has retired from soccer at the age of 24 because of a hereditary heart condition, the Premier League club said Monday.
Mwepu became ill last month on a flight to join the Zambia national team squad in Mali and was treated in a hospital there. He had further medical tests in England.
‘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,’ Brighton said in a statement.
The Premier League club said the health problem was not seen on previous cardiac screening tests, which top-level soccer players routinely undergo each season.
‘We are all absolutely devastated for Enock,’ Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said. ‘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.’
Mwepu made his debut for Zambia as a teenager while he was playing for Salzburg. He won four Austrian league titles with Salzburg and played in the Champions League on a team with Erling Haaland. He joined Brighton last year.
Condition
The Zambia captain fell ill while on a flight to join up with his national side during the recent international break and spent a period of time in hospital in Mali.
After undergoing further tests, it was discovered Mwepu’s illness was down to a heart condition, which can worsen over time and be exacerbated by playing sport.
Brighton confirmed on Monday that Mwepu has called time on his career, as he would have an extremely high risk of suffering a cardiac arrest should he continue playing.
Also in a statement on the club’s official website, Mwepu said he intends to stay involved in football in some capacity.
“A boy from a small Zambian township called Chambishi has some news to share,” the former Salzburg midfielder said.
“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.