A former Premier League ace has opened up about battling a heart condition throughout his playing career, which he kept secret from his family, loved ones and even national team doctors

A former Premier League star has revealed he spent years coping with a secret health condition that "hurts terribly". But he kept the issue under wraps throughout his career until it finally forced him to retire in the summer.

Ex-West Ham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest player Cheikhou Kouyate was poised to return to Belgian side Anderlecht before a medical examination put a stop to the move. Anderlecht's doctor advised Kouyate, 36, to reconsider his plans and retire due to the condition, which he had even kept secret from his nearest and dearest.

"I suffered from this heart problem since birth. I played with it," Kouyate revealed to Senegalese broadcaster Walfadjri TV, reports the Mirror. "In England, it was monitored every six months. I had medical check-ups at West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. Every time I had the tests, the problem reappeared."

He added: "The doctors always pointed out the problem to me, but I took responsibility myself. I signed the insurance papers stating that anything that might happen to me would be my responsibility.

"Anderlecht called me [in the summer] to play there and also to start training as a coach. But after the medical examination, the doctor asked me to stop playing football."

The 92-cap Senegal international added: "The problem is at high altitude. If I play in the heat, it hurts terribly, during and after matches.

"It feels like a side stitch, for about five minutes, and then it goes away. When it happens, after the match, I get painful cramps. After 24 hours, it stops.

"I never said anything. I didn't want to be forced to stop early. I never told my family, not even the national team doctors. They didn't know about my problem."

Kouyate, who operated as both a centre-back and defensive midfielder, entered the recent summer transfer window without a club.

The 36 year old departed Turkish outfit Amedspor in January following just four months in which he featured nine times.

Kouyate initially arrived in the Premier League in 2014, having established his reputation while shining for Anderlecht. West Ham parted with £7million for his signature and he remained with the Hammers for four years.

Palace subsequently acquired him for £9.5m and he departed in 2022 when his deal expired. He then turned out at Forest for two campaigns.