Bolton says Fabrice Muamba has retired after suffering cardiac arrest during game

BOLTON, England – Bolton says that midfielder Fabrice Muamba has retired from football after suffering a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup game against Tottenham in March.

Muamba tells Bolton’s website Wednesday that “while the news is devastating, I have much to be thankful for” and that “I love the game and count myself very lucky to have been able to play at the highest level.”

Muamba travelled to Belgium last week to seek further medical advice from a cardiologist after consultations in Britain and Europe, and has been advised to retire from playing at the professional level.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle says “we know that he will go on to achieve great things and within all this disappointment, the most important thing is that he is here, alive, today.”