Spanish midfielder and former Chennaiyin FC player Andrea Orlandi has been forced to retire from football after discovering he has heart disease.
The 34-year-old discovered his condition while undergoing a medical with his new side Virtus Entella, an Italian Serie C side.
"I felt like this was coming after I had the medical but until it was made official I still had that glimmer of hope," he told his former club Brighton and Hove Albion's website.
“Sadly it is not safe for me to play on and I was devastated when the doctor broke the news. However, I am coming to terms with it quite quickly and am so thankful to all the medical staff who have helped me.
"I could have had an operation to try and carry on playing, but at 34 it would have been risky and stupid to do so. I have to think about my future more than football now.
Orlandi started his career with Spanish side Alaves in the lower divisions before he donned the jersey of FC Barcelona during a loan spell in 2006. The attacking midfielder also played in the Premier League with Swansea City in the 2011-12 season.
He signed for Indian Super League champion Chennaiyin in 2018 and featured in nine matches across the season before he left the club at the end of January.
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