Days after signing his new contract with Italian side Cagliari, former Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia has been forced to retire after discovering a heart condition during routine tests for his new club.
The team’s President, Tommaso Giulini, explained the situation: “It was picked up in the first visits to Cagliari, and confirmed after further tests in Padua,” he added. Almunia, reportedly would have been diagnosed with a heart condition that can cause Sudden Cardiac Death in sportsmen, such as Spanish defenders Antonio Puerta and Dani Jarque.
Back in 2008, Almunia was considered to defend England’s posts, having never played for his native country Spain. The keeper was willing to make the move, but Capello never called him up. Almunia's career stretched for almost 20 years, having played for Eibar, Albacete, Recreativo and Osasuna. After his golden years playing for Arsenal, the Spanish keeper defended West Ham United and Watford.
Manuel Almunia defending his last club, Watford.
