CHELSEA skipper Gary Cahill admitted he was “devastated” to hear of Ryan Mason’s retirement in a heartfelt tweet.
The former Hull midfielder, 26, fractured his skull last January after clashing heads with Cahill and was immediately rushed to hospital for life-saving surgery.
And unfortunately Mason never recovered from his injuries and was forced to quit football on medical advice.
Cahill, 32, tweeted: “Devastated to hear today’s news from Ryan.
“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.
“Sending all my love to him and his family, and wishing him the best for the future.”
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Cahill’s former team-mate Petr Cech – who also suffered a severe head injury – also shared his well wishes.
He wrote: “Yesterday was a sad day for one incredible young man .@RyanMason.
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“Although his story didn’t finish with ultimate happy ending , his determination , attitude and bravery he’s shown during his recovery is something to be admired and an inspiration for others ! All the best Ryan”.
Mason – who welcomed his first child George into the world in December – says he now has “no option” but to hang up his boots following medical advice.
Breaking the news, he wrote: “I can confirm that following specialist medical advice I am having to retire from playing professional football.
“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.
“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.
“Thank you to my amazing fiancee, Rachel, who has been by my side and lived every single day with me since the injury, helping to give me the strength I’ve needed no matter how tough things got.
“We are so lucky to have now become the proud parents of our perfect baby boy George.”