
<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/supporters-groups/brighton-supporters-groups/">Brighton and Hove Albion</a> midfielder Enock Mwepu announced on Monday that he must medically retire from the sport. The 24-year-old Zambian has a hereditary heart condition that can worsen over time.</p>



<p>According to a <a href="https:\/\/www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2846943/enock-mwepu-medical-update" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement from the club</a>, Mwepu’s condition can lead to a fatal cardiac arrest. Playing soccer at a competitive level can increase chances of that. </p>



<p>Mwepu and medical teams discovered the condition after the midfielder picked up an illness traveling to international duty with Zambia. Upon further cardiac tests, doctors picked up a condition that manifests itself later in life. </p>



<p>The player arrived at Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2021 from RB Salzburg. The south England club paid just over <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/enock-mwepu/profil/spieler/490307" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$25 million</a> for his services following a strong stint in Austria. In his time in England, Mwepu made 28 appearances for the Seagulls, including <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">six games this campaign</a>. In his time at the AMEX, he scored three goals in all competitions, and collected a further seven assists. </p>



<h2>Mwepu has to medically retire from soccer</h2>



<p>The midfielder released a post on Twitter describing his feelings over the diagnosis. He has plans to stay involved with the sport in some capacity, even if it is not on the playing level.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">❤️ <a href="https:\/\/t.co/8F2lTabjJg">pic.twitter.com/8F2lTabjJg</a></p>— Enock Mwepu (@EnockMwepu45) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/EnockMwepu45/status/1579397214124011520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Officials within Brighton also expressed their sympathies. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/07/11/italian-coach-de-zerbi-leaves-shakhtar-donetsk/">Roberto de Zerbi</a>, who <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/08/graham-potter-arrives-at-chelsea-to-finalize-move/">took over for Graham Potter</a>, said he circled Mwepu as a name he looked forward to coaching. </p>



<p>“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,” de Zerbi said. “We will do everything we can to help him.”</p>



<p>Brighton and Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom added to the sentiment. </p>



<p>“We are all absolutely devastated for Enock,” Bloom wrote. “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.</p>



<p>Brighton’s next fixture is on Friday, an away trip to Brentford. The next game at home is against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, Oct. 18.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images</em></p>


Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Enock Mwepu must medically retire from soccer due to a hereditary heart condition, the club announced.

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Brighton's Enock Mwepu retires with heart condition