Muamba hangs up his boots

Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba has announced his retirement from football.
 The decision was made on the recommendations of his medical team, after extensive consultations with leading cardiologists in the UK and Europe. Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during and FA cup match against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in March. Muamba's heart stopped for 78 minutes after he collapsed. Millions of people around the world watched as the medical teams of both clubs as well as a heart specialist rushed to the pitch to keep the Bolton star alive.  Muamba 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 on-going 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." Fabrice Muamba and his family fled a war torn Democratic Republic of Congo to seek asylum in England. And despite Muamba arriving in London at the age of 11 and unable to speak English, he went on to achieve 10 GCSE's (General Certificate of Secondary Education, which is an academic qualification for a specified subject) and 3 A levels.
He then joined Arsenal's youth academy in 2002 and later signed professional terms with the North London club. He moved to Birmingham in 2006 on loan and in 2007 made his loan deal permanent. And in 2008 he signed for Bolton Wanderers. Sad to see such a young and talented player with a bright future ahead of him retire.