Raphael Dwamena: Ghana striker with history of heart problems dies aged 28 after collapsing on pitch
A Ghana international striker has died on the pitch six years after a proposed move to the Premier League fell through because of a heart condition.
Raphael Dwamena was playing for Egnatia against Partizani in Albania on Saturday when he collapsed on the turf, aged 28. “Despite the immediate intervention of specialist doctors he unfortunately passed away,” said the Albanian Football Federation (AFL).
No cause of death has been given but Dwamena, the leading scorer in the Albanian league this season with nine goals, had a history of heart issues.
Brighton and Hove Albion had tried to sign him in the summer of 2017 for £10 million but the club pulled out of a deal with FC Zurich after he failed a medical.
In 2020, Dwamena successfully underwent heart surgery a year after being diagnosed with a pulmonary condition. Dwamena, who won nine caps and scored two goals for his country, then collapsed during a 2021 cup match in Austria between his side Blau-Weiss Linz and Hartberg.
