Former France defender Lilian Thuram has said he could not sign a deal with Paris St Germain because of a heart problem.
Thuram told a news conference the problem had been spotted during a medical examination after which he had been expecting to join PSG from Barcelona on a one-year deal.
'It's a total surprise, I didn't see it coming,' said Thuram, who will now undergo further tests to determine how serious the problem is.
'In a month or so I should know whether I can pursue my career or if I have to stop,' he said.
PSG coach Paul Le Guen said he hoped Thuram would eventually be able to join the capital club.
'I still hope he will be able to help us out,' Le Guen told reporters.
The problem was a heart hypertrophy, PSG chairman Charles Villeneuve told the news conference.
The 36-year-old Thuram, a member of France's 1998 World Cup-winning team, won a record 142 caps for his country. He announced his international retirement after France's group-stage exit from Euro 2008.
