Heart condition forces former Arsenal goalkeeper Almunia into retirement
Manuel Almunia in action during his time with Arsenal
Cagliari have confirmed that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has been forced to retire from football following a heart condition detected during his medical.
Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini confirmed the news in the Italian media, revealing that the veteran had been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a potentially fatal condition.
"It was picked up in the first visits to Cagliari and confirmed after further tests in Padua (specialist heart hopsital)," he said.
Almunia enjoyed a journeyed career, playing for several different Spanish clubs - mostly in the lower leagues - before a lengthy stint at Arsenal. He spent the last couple of seasons at Watford.
It brings to an end a 20 year career for the Spanish net-minder and was signed by Arsenal in 2004 as back-up for Jens Lehman who he replaced in the 2006 Champions League final after the German was sent off against Barcelona.
