Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar has ​retired at the age of 34 due to ongoing cardiac problems, club Sao Paulo have confirmed.

The ⁠former Brazilian international was admitted to hospital for five days due to cardiac complications in November, with extensive evaluations confirming the diagnosis ⁠of vasovagal syncope, a ​common ⁠form of fainting caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and ⁠blood pressure.

He was contracted to Sao Paulo ​until ⁠2027 but has ‌now terminated the contract.

“I wanted to do more for Sao Paulo, I wanted to ‌play more. I think I ‌had both the footballing ability and the age to play more, but unfortunately this happened,” Oscar ⁠posted on the club’s social media.

“Now I’m going to retire and continue supporting Sao Paulo, continuing my life as a fan.

“I am ending my career here at Sao Paulo, a career that has taken me ‌to many places, practically all over the ​world.”

Oscar won the Premier League ‌twice with Chelsea and ⁠the Chinese Super League three times ⁠at Shanghai Port. He returned to Sao Paulo in ‌December 2024, ​signing a three-year ‌contract with his boyhood ​club.

PA