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Ghanaian striker Raphael Dwamena has been released by Austrian Blau-Weiss Linz due to his heart condition.

This comes after Dwamena collapsed during an Austrian Cup match between Blau-Weiss and Hartberg in October. Dwamena, who was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2017 and has had to play with an implanted defibrillator, went down during the first half of the match resulting in the cancellation.

Although he recovered the next day, Dwamena stayed out of action before the club’s decision to part ways with him.

“There was an appointment this week when we told him and his management that it was no longer an option for us that he is on the pitch for us. The risk is just too great for us,” Sporting director Tino Wawra. “We are very sorry for him. Apart from Salzburg, you won’t find a player with the quality of a healthy Raphael Dwamena in all of Austria.

“It’s a shame that he probably has to think about a final retirement now. He is a great guy, has a top character. That’s why the decision is all the more difficult for us.”

The unfortunate incident in October was the latest setback for the 26-year-old player.  He was first diagnosed with a heart condition during a medical for a move from Swiss side FC Zurich to Premier League fold Brighton & Hove Albion in 2017. The deal eventually fell through after the failed medical.

In 2019, he saw a loan stint with Spanish fold Real Zaragoza cut short by his heart condition and in February 2021, new Danish club Vejle withdrew him from team engagements due to a relapse in his condition.

He joined Blau-Weiss Linz in July 2021 but had to wait until early October to make his debut – his first match in over a year.