Zambian midfielder Enock Mwepu has signed a new deal with English Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion FC, months after announcing his retirement from playing football.
Enock Mwepu, who retired from football at tender age of 24 after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition, was given ample time by the club to recover before deciding on his next step.
Recall Mwepu fell ill on a flight to join his Zambia teammates during the international break in September 2022, Mwepu returned to Brighton to undergo additional cardiac tests after a stay in a hospital in Mali.
How club made it know that should he have continued playing competitive football, he would have been at a very high risk of suffering a “fatal cardiac arrest.”
However, three months later has now been employed as one of the backroom staff members at Brighton to continue his involvement in football.
“Mwepu will continue staying in England with his family, and yes, he has been given a job at Brighton that will be announced by the club later,”.
The 2017 under-20 Africa Cup of Nations champion is also set to enroll in coaching school, as he is now aiming to be a professional coach.
Mwepu stated in a statement following the official announcement of his retirement that his involvement in football was not yet done.
“Some dreams, however, 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,” he wrote. “This is not the end of my involvement in football; I plan to stay involved in some capacity,” he wrote.
Brighton and Hove Albion FC chief executive Paul Barber also assured Mwepu that they would do everything possible to support his future endeavors.
Prior to the September international break, Mwepu played in all six of Brighton’s Premier League games and made 27 appearances for the club since signing from Red Bull Salzburg in July 2021.
He also made 23 appearances for the Zambian national team, scoring six goals in that time.
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