Enock Mwepu, a Brighton midfielder, was forced to retire at the age of 24 owing to a heart issue.

Enock Mwepu, a Brighton midfielder, was forced to retire at the age of 24 owing to a hereditary cardiac problem.

Mwepu has been diagnosed with a condition that, if not treated, could develop over time, putting him at risk of a possibly deadly cardiac episode.

During the recent international break, he became ill while on a flight to join the Zambia national team, and he spent time in hospital in Mali under observation before returning to Brighton.

“It is a horrible loss for Enock, but he has to put his health and his family first, and this is the right choice,” said Adam Brett, the club’s head of medicine and performance.

“Of course, because this is Enock’s career and a decision that must be made carefully, we have taken our time to be as thorough as possible, completing sophisticated cardiac investigations and collaborating with clinical experts to obtain the finest second views for Enock.”

“We will assist him in ensuring that the disease is handled with the necessary treatment so that he can otherwise live a long and healthy life.”

“We are all really devastated for Enock,” said Brighton chairman Tony Bloom. He and his family have been through a horrible few weeks, and while we are grateful he has survived, he has seen such a bright career cut short at such a young age.

“As a club, we will give him all the love, assistance, and support we can to help him heal completely, and then as he decides on the next steps in his life.”

“I am really sorry about Enock,” said new Seagulls coach Roberto De Zerbi. Before I arrived, I went over the entire squad, and he was the player I was most thrilled to work with.