Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi on the touchline ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield, Liverpool, England, Saturday Oct. 1, 2022. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

Brighton Midfielder Mwepu Forced To Retire

Injuries in sports are always devastating, especially when they prove to be career ending. Brighton Hove & Albion, midfielder Enock Mwepu, announced his retirement from professional soccer following his diagnosis with a heart condition.

Mwepu was diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition following September’s International Break. The Zambian Captain was traveling to international duty when he fell ill. The illness forced Mwepu to land at a hospital in Mali. After a short time there, Mwepu returned to Brighton where he underwent further testing. Brighton medical staff diagnosed Mwepu with the condition after undergoing a slew of medical tests.

Brighton’s Reaction

The club said that Mwepu’s heart condition would put him at high risk of suffering a fatal cardiac event should he continue playing. Tests indicated that Mwepu’s heart condition is one that develops later in life and was not previously evident on screenings.

“It is a terrible blow for Enock, but he has to put his health and his family first and this is the right choice, however difficult it is to quit the game he loves,” Adam Brett, Brighton Head of Medicine and Performance, said.

“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,” Roberto DeZerbi, newly appointed head coach for Brighton, said. “We will do everything we can to help him.”

Brighton fans considered Mwepu a rising talent. The club signed Mwepu from RB Salzburg in 2021. Since his transfer, the 24-year-old midfielder scored two goals and had six assists in 24 Premier League matches for Brighton. Mwepu also has 24 caps for Zhambia, scoring six goals.

https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/1579420046354432000?s=20&t=kueKnyyrSZ0i1Pn3eP4fJA

About Connor O'Bryan

Connor O'Bryan is a world soccer reporter for ESPN Gainesville. He also sometimes covers baseball and other sports. He has previously written for WUFT Gainesville and for Atrium Magazine. Connor also cohosts the "Off The Bar Podcast", a student driven podcast that focuses on the global soccer landscape.

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