The 24 year-old former England under-21 international has undergone a remarkable recovery since his collapse during Bolton's FA Cup tie against Tottenham last month, when his heart stopped for more than an hour.

Last week Muamba was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), a device that releases an electrical charge if it detects a heart malfunction similar to that which Muamba suffered against Spurs last month.

On being released today Muamba said: "I am naturally very pleased to be discharged from hospital and would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to every single member of staff at The London Chest Hospital who have played a part in my care.

"Their dedication, professionalism and expertise is simply amazing and I will forever be in their debt. I also wish to say thank you to all the many well-wishers who have sent thousands of messages of support.

"Now I am out of hospital, I am looking forward to continuing my recovery and spending precious time with my family."

Bolton manager Owen Coyle said 'everyone in the club is delighted' by news that Muamba has been discharged, and added his thanks to the hospital staff.

"We would also like to add our thanks to the staff at The London Chest Hospital for their care and treatment of Fabrice, which has been outstanding," Coyle said.

"It is important that Fabrice and his family are now given time and space to be together, and we would ask the media to continue to respect their privacy."