Brighton pull out of £10m swoop for Zurich striker Raphael Dwamena after discovering heart defect
Seagulls forced to scrap signing for second time this summer due to failed medical, while case echoes Connor Goldson heart scare
BRIGHTON have pulled out of signing Raphael Dwamena at the 11th hour after discovering that the Ghana striker has a heart problem.
The Seagulls were due to pay FC Zurich £10million for the 21-year-old, but the deal collapsed after he failed a medical.
It is the second time Brighton have seen a big-money transfer collapse because of a failed medical this summer.
Their move for Gent midfielder Renato Neto was scuppered at the last hurdle when the Brazilian was found to have a knee problem.
Brighton are desperate to strengthen their attack after losing their first two games in the Premier League, both 2-0.
They will be boosted for their trip to Watford on Saturday by having Colombian winger Jose Izquierdo, their record £16m signing, available for the first time.
The Dwamena case will bring back memories at the south coast club of defender Connor Goldson, who was discovered to have a heart condition last season.
The 24-year-old underwent surgery to relieve a swollen aorta and has since returned to playing.
The Swiss club said they did the same tests when they signed Dwamena from Austria Lustenau in February.
The statement said: “The same deviation from normal was determined. However, this was judged as being neither harmful to health nor compromising the performance of a top athlete.
“The fact that deviations occur in such medical tests in the field of top sport is not uncommon. However, they are analysed individually and checked for their medical consequences.
“Whether a change in the medical situation has occurred in the last eight months is now being examined.
“We are looking forward to the return of Raphael Dwamena and are convinced that he will again be fully committed to FC Zurich.”
Brighton confirmed the deal had collapsed and said: "The club would like to wish Raphael the very best for the future, as he returns to FC Zurich."
Heart problems have been fatal for footballers in the past, with the most recent high-profile case being ex-Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote, who collapsed and died while training in China, aged just 30.