Ryan Mason, aged 26, has announced his retirement from football according to a club statement from Hull City. According to the club, “Ryan has sought the guidance of numerous world renowned neurologists and neurosurgeons who have all advised that a return to competitive football is not advised.”
Mason suffered a fractured skull after clashing heads with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill on January 22, 2017. While Cahill was deemed fit to continue in the match, Mason was stretchered off while receiving oxygen.
The response of the medical teams from both Hull City and Chelsea were widely praised, along with the quick response from match official Neil Swarbrick and the Accident and Emergency department and Neurosurgery Unit at St Mary’s Hospital.
Mason playing for Hull City during the 2016-17 EPL season. Photo: @PFA | Twitter
Mason was later reported to be in stable condition and speaking at the hospital, receiving visits from Hull City members as well as Cahill and Chelsea captain John Terry.
After undergoing a successful operation, Mason spent the past year rehabilitating in an attempt to return to professional football. However, the hugely talented midfielder has been forced to prematurely call time on his career.
Mason rose through the Tottenham academy and made 70 appearances for Spurs in all competitions. In the summer of 2016, Hull City broke their club transfer record to sign the Londoner. He made 20 appearances for Hull before the incident last January.
Mason also made one appearance for England, representing his country in a 1-1 draw with Italy at Juventus Stadium. He registered the assist on Andros Townsend’s long-range strike.
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