Fabrice Muamba announced his retirement from football, after suffering a heart attack during a match last season.
The 24-year-old collapsed during an FA Cup tie away to Tottenham Hotspur in March and his heart then stopped beating for 78 minutes.
He was discharged from hospital in April and recently played football on holiday with friends, but said doctors had advised him to quit the sport.
“Since suffering my heart attack and being discharged from hospital, I have remained utterly positive in the belief I could one day resume my playing career and play for Bolton Wanderers once again,” he said.
“But the news I received was obviously not what I had hoped it would be and it means I am now announcing my retirement from professional football.
Congolese-born Muamba has played for England at every youth level. He joined Bolton from Birmingham in 2008 and has made 148 appearances for the club.