Brighton and Hove Albion FC have officially announced the appointment of retired 24-year-old Zambian midfielder Enock Mwepu as their under-9s coach at the club’s academy.

Mwepu was forced to retire from playing football after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.

During the international break in September of this year, he fell ill on a flight to join his Zambian teammates for a Friendly match in Mali, a thing which forced him to return to Brighton for additional cardiac testing, where it was later revealed that, had he continued playing competitive football, he would have been at a very high risk of suffering a “fatal cardiac arrest.”

On Thursday, BolaNews was exclusively informed that Brighton had offered the 2017 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations winner a job at the club to continue his involvement in football.

In a statement released by the club on Friday morning, Mwepu’s appointment as their under-9s academy coach was made official.

“We are delighted to announce that Enock Mwepu will take up the role of the under-9s coach in our academy, in the New Year,” read the statement.

Brighton Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber, who, from the time Mwepu retired, assured him of the club’s support, said Mwepu has the potential to be a coach, and he is delighted that he accepted to join their academy coaching staff.

“We were very keen to help Enock with the next stage of his career, and we’re delighted he’s taken us up on the offer to join our academy coaching staff after an incredibly difficult time for him and his family following his diagnosis,” he said.

“Whenever we recruit a new member of staff, on or off the pitch, we want them to fit with our club values and Enock absolutely encapsulates those perfectly. We’re thrilled Enock will continue to be part of our club and believe Enock has a huge amount of potential as a coach. We want to give him the opportunity to flourish in this role.”

Meanwhile reacting to the news, the former Zambia national team skipper wrote on Twitter: “God’s plan and timing is always perfect. Ending the year with Joy! I belong to CHRIST JESUS.”

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 before he was forced to retire.

BolaNews has also been informed that Mwepu will be enrolled in a coaching school by the club to undergo coaching education.