Roberto De Zerbi gives touching message to Enock Mwepu following retirement announcement

The 24-year-old was forced to end his footballing career early, after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition, following a series of tests that began after the midfielder became ill whilst on international duty with Zambia.

Brighton manager De Zerbi said he has wrote to Mwepu following the news, in which he told the player he was ready to help him and his family.

De Zerbi said: “I don’t want to speak to about money, I only want to speak about him as a human being. I am very sorry for him, for his family. I wrote a message to him, that I am always ready to listen to what he wants to do and I am ready to help him.”

Mwepu signed for a four-year-deal with Albion in July 2021, leaving Red Bull Salzburg in a deal suggested to be worth £18 million.

The Zambian international had spent four years with the Austrian club, regularly starting in Champions League and Europa League games, scoring 18 goals in 119 games and gaining the nickname ‘The Computer’ due to his ability to read the game.

Mwepu scored his first Brighton goal against Leicester City in the EFL Cup, levelling the game and taking it to penalties, before the Seagulls lost the tie in a shootout, with the Enock missing his penalty to send his side out of the competition.

Three days later, Mwepu scored his first league goal, equalising for Albion as they came from two goals down at Anfield to draw 2-2 with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

The strike won Goal of the Season at Albion’s end-of-season awards, in a campaign that was tainted by injury for the young midfielder, in which he made just 21 appearances and scored three goals.

HAVE YOU READ THIS?

Brentford vs Brighton injury news as three ruled out for Friday night fixture

Kaoru Mitoma's clear statement to Roberto De Zerbi and Brighton fans ahead of Brentford and Nottingham Forest

Roberto De Zerbi's dream Brighton line-up vs Brentford if Kaoru Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey start –player gallery

Mwepu had started this season strongly, becoming a regular starter for Graham Potter and brilliantly assisted Moises Caicedo in Potter’s final game as Brighton manager – a thrilling 5-2 win against Leicester City at the Amex Stadium.

In an open letter to Zambia supporters, Mwepu thanked those who had offered "assistance and guidance" over the course of his career.