March 17, 2008 6:12 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Portuguese Midfielder Calls Time On Career

Red Star ace Lucas da Silva has ended his playing career after being recently diagnosed with a heart problem...

Red Star Belgrade's Portuguese player João Nuno Silva Cardoso Lucas – known as Lucas da Silva - has announced that his playing days are over, after mulling over a heart problem diagnosed during the winter break.

The Crvena Zvezda midfielder was given the bombshell diagnosis after a medical in Padova, Italy, which informed the 28-year-old that his life was in danger if he continued to play.

"This is the most difficult moment of my life but I have to thank everyone at Red Star who stood by me in the past two months," Lucas said as he broke the news.

"The support has meant so much to me throughout what has been a very difficult period and I now have to look forward to living a normal life as well as finding another field of interest.

"I don't know yet what I am going to do, first I have to rest because the ordeal has been mentally exhausting."

Despite reported Premiership interest from Tottenham and Reading, aggressive midfielder Lucas joined Zvezda in the summer from Portuguese side Boavista, making 23 appearances.