Former Premier League midfielder Kouyate has announced his retirement due to a congenital heart condition, according to reports from The Sun.

The former West Ham United, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest player stated that he had hidden this medical issue for years. The 36-year-old was concerned that the condition could have ended his career prematurely.

This past summer, Kouyate nearly returned to his former club Anderlecht and underwent a routine medical examination. Anderlecht's doctors subsequently advised him to retire.

Kouyate told Senegalese TV channel Walf TV, "I have had this heart condition since birth. I have always played with it."

"In England, the condition was monitored every six months. I had medical examinations at West Ham United, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. Each time, the issue came up again."

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

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

Kouyate also revealed how he concealed his heart condition, even from his closest relatives. He said, "The problem would flare up at high altitudes. If I played in hot weather, it would hurt intensely during and after the match."

"It felt like a stabbing pain in my side, lasting about 5 minutes, and then it would disappear. After a flare-up, I would experience severe cramps after the match that wouldn't stop until 24 hours later."

"I never discussed these things. I didn't want to be forced to stop before my time. I never told my family, and even the national team doctors didn't know about my condition."

Kouyate, who could play as a defensive midfielder or center-back, has been without a club since leaving Turkish side Amed Sportif in January. He made nearly 300 Premier League appearances and earned 92 caps for Senegal.

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