Ex-Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia retires from football due to heart condition

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has retired from football due to a heart condition.

The 37-year-old was expected to join Cagliari earlier this month, but the shot-stopper failed a medical after further tests confirmed that he is suffering from apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

The Professional Footballers' Association wrote on Twitter: "Manuel Almunia has had to retire after being diagnosed with a heart condition. All at the PFA wish him well for the future."

Almunia joined Arsenal back in 2004 from Celta Vigo and spent eight years with the Gunners before moving to Watford in 2012 for two years.