Former African Premier League Star Announces Retirement, Reveals He Played in Premier League With Heart Condition

Former Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate has announced his retirement from professional football, revealing that he played for several Premier League clubs while living with a heart condition he has suffered from since birth.

The former West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest midfielder made the revelation during an interview with Senegalese broadcaster Walf TV, where he opened up about his health struggles and decision to keep the condition private throughout his career.

"I suffered from this heart problem since birth. I played with it," Kouyate explained.

"In England, it was monitored every six months. I had medical check-ups at West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. Every time I had the tests, the problem reappeared. The doctors always pointed out the problem to me, but I took responsibility myself. I signed the insurance papers stating that anything that might happen to me would be my responsibility."

"The problem is at high altitude. If I play in the heat, it hurts terribly, during and after matches. It feels like a side stitch for about five minutes, and then it goes away. When it happens, after the match, I get painful cramps. After 24 hours, it stops," he added.

“I never said anything. I didn’t want to be forced to stop early. I never told my family, not even the national team doctors. They didn’t know about my problem.”

The Senegal international made 296 appearances over a decade in the Premier League.