BRIGHTON AND HOVE MIDFIELDER ENOCK MWEPU RETIRES AT 24
Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Enock Mwepu is retiring from professional football at just 24 years old after he was diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition, the club announced on Monday morning.
The Zambian international took ill while on a flight to join up with the Zambian national team during the international break and spent some time in a hospital in Mali before he returned to Brighton for further tests. Mwepu underwent cardiac tests with the team that concluded his illness was due to a hereditary cardiac condition that manifests later in life and can be exacerbated by playing sports. The heart condition was not previously evident on regular cardiac screening.
For the sake of his health and safety, the 24-year-old was advised that the only option for him going forward was to stop playing football. Mwepu’s condition, which could worsen over time, would put the former FC Red Bull Salzburg midfielder at an “extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event”, a statement from the club read, if he were to continue playing competitive football.
“It is a terrible blow for Enock,” Brighton Head of Medicine and Performance, Adam Brett said. “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. Of course, given this is Enock’s career and a decision which can’t be taken lightly we have taken our time to be as thorough as possible, completed advanced cardiac investigations, and collaborated with clinical experts to gain the best second opinions for Enock.”
Mwepu joined Brighton and Hove Albion during the summer of 2021 on a four-year contract and had a good season under former manager Graham Potter, winning the team’s Goal of the Season last year for his strike against Liverpool in October. The Chambishi-born midfielder’s short period in Brighton was marred by injuries limiting Mwepu’s appearances for the Seagulls to just 27. Mwepu would go on to score 3 goals and assist two during his playing time at the club.
Mwepu released a statement on social media that read: “Some dreams 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. This is, however, not the end of my involvement with football. I plan to stay involved in some capacity. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that supported me in my football journey, including my wife and family, my agent 12MAN, the Zambian FA, all my previous clubs, teammates, and coaches, and especially everyone at Brighton and Hove Albion.”
Nicknamed “The Computer” Mwepu was praised for his knack for reading the game from his midfield position by teammates from both his club and his country. Mwepu played 128 games across three clubs in Europe including FC Red Bull Salzburg, Austrian Second League side FC Liefering, and Brighton, scoring 19 times.
FC Red Bull Salzburg tweeted: “We are saddened to hear of Enock Mwepu’s diagnosis and of his decision to end his playing career. Enock was an integral part of our team during his time in Salzburg and is still a beloved part of our family. We wish him the very best ahead.”
“The Computer” had featured in all six Premier League games this season before the September international break and had an impressive career with Zambia, netting 6 goals in 23 appearances for them, and being named captain at just 23 years old.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said: “We are all 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.”
New Brighton head coach Roberto de Zerbi added: “I am so sorry for Enock. Before I arrived I look at the squad, and he was a player I was so excited about and looking forward to working with. We will do everything we can to help him.”
Mwepu will remain at Brighton with the club reiterating its intention to help him with his health. Head of Medicine and Performance, Adam Brett said:” We will be helping him to make sure the condition is managed with the appropriate treatment for him to otherwise live a long and healthy life.” Mwepu is also expected to remain with the Seagulls in some capacity and take up an off-the-field role that could include coaching the youth sides.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
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