Fabrice Muamba Retires From Football

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has retired from football on medical grounds. The 24 year old who played at every level of the England international level except senior, collapsed with a cardiac arrest on 17th March, was in effect dead for 78 minutes when he hit the turf at White Hart Lane in an FA Cup Tie, and received fifteen defibrillator shocks from frantic medics, before spending four weeks in intensive care. Amazingly, just two days after his cardiac arrest, his heart began beating without medication, and the player was able to move his arms and legs and recognise his family. And it was believed he would continue his phenomenal road to recovery by returning to action as early as this season. Unfortunately though, the near death experience has forced him to curtail his short playing career on medical grounds. After a visit to a heart clinic in Belgium for minor surgery, the midfielder received advice that he should not continue playing. Speaking to the BBC, he said:

"Since suffering my heart attack and being discharged from hospital, I have remained utterly positive in the belief I could one day resume my playing career and play for Bolton Wanderers once again. "As part of my ongoing recovery, last week I travelled to Belgium to seek further medical advice from a leading cardiologist. "But the news I received was obviously not what I had hoped it would be and it means I am now announcing my retirement from professional football."

Muamba was a product of the Arsenal Youth Academy before leaving the club to make 146 appearances for Bolton Wanderers after stints at Birmingham.