Former Premier League defender Cheikhou Kouyate has revealed he played with a heart condition for years, keeping it secret from his family and national team doctors, until it forced him to retire this summer.
The 36-year-old, who played for West Ham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, was set to return to Belgian side Anderlecht before a medical examination ended the move. Anderlecht's doctor advised Kouyate to stop playing because of the condition, which he had hidden since birth.
Kouyate's heart problem was monitored in England
"I suffered from this heart problem since birth. I played with it," Kouyate told Senegalese broadcaster Walfadjri TV, as reported by the Mirror. "In England, it was monitored every six months. I had medical check-ups at West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. Every time I had the tests, the problem reappeared."
"The doctors always pointed out the problem to me, but I took responsibility myself. I signed the insurance papers stating that anything that might happen to me would be my responsibility," he added.
Anderlecht doctor told him to stop
"Anderlecht called me [in the summer] to play there and also to start training as a coach. But after the medical examination, the doctor asked me to stop playing football," Kouyate said.
The 92-cap Senegal international explained the condition's impact: "The problem is at high altitude. If I play in the heat, it hurts terribly, during and after matches. It feels like a side stitch, for about five minutes, and then it goes away. When it happens, after the match, I get painful cramps. After 24 hours, it stops."
Kouyate kept the condition secret
"I never said anything. I didn't want to be forced to stop early. I never told my family, not even the national team doctors. They didn't know about my problem," he revealed.
Kouyate, who played as both a centre-back and defensive midfielder, entered the summer transfer window without a club. He left Turkish side Amedspor in January after four months, during which he made nine appearances.
He arrived in the Premier League in 2014 after impressing at Anderlecht. West Ham paid £7 million for him, and he spent four years at the club. Crystal Palace later signed him for £9.5 million, and he left in 2022 when his contract expired, before playing two seasons at Nottingham Forest.
