Soccer-Red Star midfielder Lucas ends career over heart problem

By Zoran Milosavljevic

BELGRADE, March 17 (Reuters) - Red Star Belgrade's Portuguese midfielder Lucas da Silva ended his career on Monday over a heart problem diagnosed during the mid-season winter break.

A recent medical check-up in Padova, Italy, confirmed the 28-year-old would be putting his life at risk if he continued playing.

"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 told a news conference.

"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," he said.

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

Lucas scored one goal in 23 appearances for Red Star after joining from Portuguese side Boavista last June. (editing by Justin Palmer)