Spanish midfielder and former Chennaiyin FC player Andrea Orlandi has been forced to retire from football after discovering he has heart disease.
The 34-year-old discovered his condition while undergoing a medical with his new side Virtus Entella, an Italian Serie C side.
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“Sadly it is not safe for me to play on and I was devastated when the doctor broke the news. However, I am coming to terms with it quite quickly and am so thankful to all the medical staff who have helped me.
“I could have had an operation to try and carry on playing, but at 34 it would have been risky and stupid to do so. I have to think about my future more than football now.”
Orlandi started his career with Spanish side Alaves in the lower divisions before he donned the jersey of FC Barcelona during a loan spell in 2006.
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He signed for Indian Super League champion Chennaiyin in 2018 and featured in nine matches.