According to The Sun, former Premier League player Kouyaté has announced his retirement due to a congenital heart condition.

The former West Ham United, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest player revealed that he had concealed this medical issue for many years. Kouyaté, 36, feared the condition could prematurely end his career.

This summer, when Kouyaté was close to rejoining his former club Anderlecht, he underwent a routine medical examination. Anderlecht's doctors subsequently advised him to retire.

Kouyaté told Senegalese channel Walf TV, "I've had this heart problem since birth. I've always played with it.

"In England, the problem was monitored every six months. I had medicals at West Ham United, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. Each time, the issue was flagged.

"The doctors always told me about the problem, but I took responsibility myself. I signed documents stating that if anything happened to me, I would be solely responsible.

"Anderlecht contacted me this summer, asking me to play for them and begin my coaching qualification. But after the medical, the doctors told me to stop playing football."

Kouyaté also revealed how he kept his heart condition hidden from close relatives. He said, "The problem worsens at high altitudes. If I played in hot weather, it would cause severe pain during and after the game.

"It felt like a stitch in my side for about five minutes, and then it would disappear. After a flare-up, I would experience painful cramps that wouldn't subside until 24 hours later.

"I never spoke about these things. I didn't want to be forced to stop prematurely. I never told my family, and even the national team doctors didn't know about my problem."

Kouyaté, who operates as a defensive midfielder or centre-back, has been without a club since leaving Turkish side Amed SK in January. He played nearly 300 Premier League matches and earned 92 caps for Senegal.

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