Brighton midfielder, Enock Mwepu, has been forced to retire over 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.”