Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu has retired at the age of 24 after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.
He has played six times in the Premier League this season, with his last appearance coming in the side’s 5-2 victory over Leicester City.
Mwepu has been told he risks suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event if he continues playing.
“The condition, which can worsen over time, would put Enock at an extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event, if he were to continue playing competitive football,” Brighton said in a statement.
The Premier League club said the health problem was not seen on previous cardiac screening tests, which top-level players routinely undergo each season.
“We are all absolutely devastated for Enock,” Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said.
“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.”
Lucy Letby trial – live: Nurse accused of killing seven babies goes on trial
Decision on whether to raise benefits in line with inflation expected in November, minister says – as Liz Truss remains ‘genuinely undecided’
Chancellor to set out debt plan three weeks earlier than planned
Mwepu made his debut for Zambia as a teenager while he was playing for Salzburg.
He joined Brighton last year.