Head clash forces Mason to quit at 26
Playing ‘too risky’ after fractured skull
RYAN MASON has been forced to retire from football as a result of the fractured skull the midfielder suffered in Hull City’s Premier League match with Chelsea last year.
The 26-year-old, who won one cap for England, was involved in a horrific clash of heads with centre back gary Cahill at Stamford Bridge in January 2017.
The former Tottenham youngster needed emergency surgery on the lifethreatening injury and spent eight days in London’s St Mary’s Hospital.
Mason (below) had 14 metal plates on the right side of his skull and a scar that required 42 staples. He later said it was ‘like a bomb going off in my head’ in an interview with Sportsmail.
‘I have worked tirelessly in order to be able to return to the pitch,’ said Mason in a statement. ‘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.’
Mason also thanked his family for their support. Cahill tweeted yesterday: ‘ 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.’ Mason made 70 appearances for Spurs before being sold to Hull for £13million in August 2016. He made a key contribution to the start of Mauricio Pochettino’s reign, coming off the bench to hit a long-range equaliser when Spurs were trailing Nottingham Forest in the League Cup in 2014. Tottenham went on to record a first win in five matches under their new manager. Tottenham’s assistant manager Jesus Perez tweeted a clip of the goal yesterday and added: ‘ When you changed it all for us mate. We love you. Always with you.’ Speaking after Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Juventus, Pochettino said: ‘He will always be a special player for me. He represents this change when we arrived at Tottenham. The door is always open to help him. Don’t worry Ryan, you’re going to be a successful person outside of the club.’