Bolton's Fabrice Muamba 'devastated' after announcing retirement
Bolton's midfielder Fabrice Muamba has announced his retirement from football, five months after he survived a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie.
Muamba's heart stopped for 78 minutes after he collapsed on the pitch at White Hart Lane during Bolton's match against Spurs in March. His life was saved by the intervention of medics from both teams and an off-duty heart specialist, before he spent time recovering in an east London hospital.
The 24-year-old had hoped to resume his career, but Bolton said that Muamba's decision to retire was "made on the recommendation of his medical team, following extensive consultations with leading cardiologists both in the United Kingdom and Europe."
Muamba, who carried the Olympic flame in July as the torch relay made its way from Greenwich to Waltham Forest, 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.
"Football has been my life since I was a teenage boy and it has given me so many opportunities. Above all else, I love the game and count myself very lucky to have been able to play at the highest level.
"While the news is devastating, I have much to be thankful for. I thank God that I am alive and I pay tribute once again to the members of the medical team who never gave up on me.
"I would also like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, and the Bolton fans who have been incredible. I am blessed to have the support of my family and friends at this time."
The Bolton chairman Phil Gartside said: "To have Fabrice here and with us is truly amazing and we are all very thankful for that. We are all hugely disappointed that Fabrice will be unable to return to his playing career but we have to be guided by the medical recommendations and the best interests of Fabrice.
"The most important thing is that Fabrice and his family have the rest of their lives ahead of them."
Bolton's manager Owen Coyle said: "We have spoken with Fab and he knows we will always support him in whatever he wants to do and that we will always be here for him.
"He is obviously massively disappointed that he won't be able to carry on his career, but everyone has seen what a fighter and strong person he is in mind and body. We know that he will go on to achieve great things and within all this disappointment, the most important thing is that he is here, alive, today."
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