Enock Mwepu, the Brighton midfielder, has been forced to retire because of a hereditary heart condition.

Mwepu fell ill while on a flight to join his Zambia teammates during the international break last month.

The heart condition is so severe that Mwepu, 24, would be extremely likely to suffer a cardiac arrest should he continue playing football.

Brighton disclosed this in a statement on Monday morning.

According to the statement, Mwepu would have an extremely high risk of suffering a “fatal cardiac arrest” should he continue playing competitive football.

Reacting, Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said, “We are all absolutely devastated for Enock.

“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.”