Fabrice Muamba Announces Retirement From Football After Pitch Collapse

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has announced his retirement from football, five months after suffering a near-fatal heart attack on the pitch. The 24-year-old went into cardiac arrest on the pitch at White Hart Lane back in March for 78 minutes, during Bolton�s FA Cup quarter-final tie with Tottenham Hotspur. However, Bolton have offered Muamba the chance to remain at the club in a new role after the midfielder was forced to quit playing since the incident, a decision made after the footballer went to see cardiologist Pedro Brugada in Belgium last week - who informed Muamba that he wouldn�t be able to make a comeback without causing risk to his health. The former England Under 21 International�s club have been keen to offer their full support, and will allow him to choose between a variety of opportunities, ranging from club ambassador, to roles in their education or community departments. Bolton manager Owen Coyle said, ''We have spoken to Fab and he knows we will always support him in whatever he wants to do and that we will always be here for him.'' Fabrice also spoke about fulfilling his dream, adding, ''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.'' Muamba began his career at Arsenal and moved to Birmingham City, before spending four years at Bolton.