Former Luton Town defender has to retire from playing due to heart condition

Former Luton Town defender and current Newport County captain Mark O'Brien has had to retire from football at the age of 27 due to a heart condition.

The centre half had moved to Kenilworth Road in July 2015 from Derby County, playing nine times for the Hatters, with two loan spells at Southport, before joining Newport in January 2017.

He became a club hero in Wales, scoring the winning strike against Notts County that secured the Exiles' League Two status on the final day of the season.

O'Brien became club captain at Newport, playing a key role in the club's FA Cup runs and reaching the League Two Play-Off Final last year as he made 127 appearances, netting four times.

He had heart surgery in 2009 when he was with Derby County’s academy and a check-up has revealed that he needs to go under the knife again.

The Irishman is the second Exiles player in two years to have to retire because of a heart issue after Fraser Franks, also a former Luton defender, quit on health grounds in March 2019.

An official County statement said: "Newport County AFC are saddened to announce the immediate retirement of club captain Mark O’Brien.

"The 27-year-old central defender requires heart surgery which will prevent him from carrying on with his playing career.

“The club will be doing everything it can to support Mark at this difficult time."