Enock Mwepu, 24, of Brighton, has been forced to retire after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition, the Premier League club announced on Monday.

The condition, which can worsen over time, puts him at "extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event if he continues to play competitive football," according to the club.

Enock became ill on a flight to join up with Zambia during the international break last month, and after a stay in Mali, he returned to Brighton for additional cardiac tests.

"These tests have revealed that his illness is the result of a hereditary cardiac condition that manifests later in life and was previously undetected on regular cardiac screening," the club said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, playing sport can aggravate this, so Enock has been advised that the only option for his own safety is for him to stop playing football."

Mwepu, who made 27 appearances for the club and scored three goals, said on Twitter that he had "lived his dream by reaching the Premier League."

"Some dreams, however, come to an end, so it is with sadness that I announce the need to hang up my boots due to medical advice I have received," he added.

"However, this is not the end of my involvement with football." I intend to remain involved in some capacity."

"We are all absolutely devastated for Enock," said Brighton chairman Tony Bloom. He and his family have been through a traumatic few weeks, and while we are grateful he has survived, he has seen such a promising career cut short at such a young age."

"I am so sorry for Enock," said manager Roberto De Zerbi, who was only appointed last month to replace Graham Potter.

"Before I arrived, I looked at the entire squad, and he was a player I was very excited about working with." We will do everything in our power to assist him."

Mwepu, who joined the Premier League from Red Bull Salzburg last year, played his final match for Brighton on September 4 in a 5-2 win over Leicester.