Thuram move ended by heart defect

A heart defect has prevented veteran French defender Lilian Thuram from signing for Paris St Germain.

The 36-year-old Barcelona defender had been expected to sign a one-year deal with the French First Division side.

He retired from international football after Euro 2008, and says that he has been diagnosed with a heart condition.

"I'm holding this press conference not to announce my signing for PSG but to tell you that doctors have detected a heart defect," said Thuram.

"In a month or so I should know whether I can pursue my career or if I have to stop"
Lilian Thuram

Thuram's brother died of a similar condition and the World Cup winner will undergo further tests and await results before deciding whether to retire from football.

"It seems that it's the same illness that my brother had a few years ago and from which he died on a basketball court," said Thuram.

"It's a total surprise, I didn't see it coming.

"In a month or so I should know whether I can pursue my career or if I have to stop."

Thuram began his career at Monaco in 1990 before moving to Italy in 1996 to play for Parma and Juventus.

He joined Spanish outfit Barcelona in 2006 but has struggled to hold down a regular place at the Nou Camp.

Thuram made 142 appearance for his country, winning the World Cup with them in 1998 and European Championship in 2000.

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