Categories: World Soccer

Cahill ‘devastated’ as Hull’s Mason forced to retire with head injury

The 26-year-old was involved in a sickening collision of with Chelsea defender Cahill at Stamford Bridge in January 2017 and has not played since.

“Devastated to hear today’s news from Ryan,” tweeted Cahill. “Competing for a corner is something we’ve done thousands of times and to see those consequences for a top professional like Ryan is heartbreaking,” the England centre-back added.

“Sending all my love to him and his family, and wishing him all the best for the future”.

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Earlier, Mason announced that, despite his best efforts, he was calling time on his football career.

“I can confirm that following specialist medical advice I am having to retire from playing professional football,” Mason said in a statement. “I have worked tirelessly in order to be able to return to the pitch.

“Unfortunately, having taken expert medical advice I now have no option but to retire due to the risks involved given the nature of my injury.

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“I am and always will be eternally grateful for the incredible network of people around me who have helped me to recover from what was a life-threatening injury in January 2017.”

Former Tottenham Hotspur player Mason was capped once for England, in a 1-1 draw with Italy in Turin in March 2015.

“I am so proud to have come through the ranks to play for my club, the club I love,” he said. “To have had the honour of captaining the team fills me with immense pride.

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“Finally, representing my country is an honour that nobody can ever take away from me and something that I am so proud to have achieved.”

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By Agence France Presse