Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ryan Mason has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect after a life-threatening head injury suffered a year ago, and Spurs fans have called for him to be handed a coaching role at the club on Twitter.
On the 22nd of January 2017, the 26-year-old suffered a fractured skull in an aerial collision with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill while playing for Hull City.
Mason has been attempting to make his way back to competitive football, but Hull have now revealed that the midfielder has been forced to retire.
A club statement on their official website says: “It is with deep regret that the Club has to announce that, following the head injury suffered on 22nd January 2017, Ryan Mason is to retire from football with immediate effect.
“Ryan has sought the guidance of numerous world renowned neurologists and neuro surgeons who have all advised that a return to competitive football is not advised.”
Mason came through the Spurs academy but was continually loaned out as he struggled to make his way into the first-team, with five separate loan spells over a five-year period.
He finally got his breakthrough under Mauricio Pochettino in 2014, and went on to make 70 appearances for Tottenham.
Mason then moved to Hull in the summer of 2016, and made 20 appearances for the Tigers before his horror head injury last season.
Spurs fans have taken to Twitter in force to show their sadness at the news, with Mason remaining a well-loved figure in north London.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets:
So sad. Great player for Spurs and no one wanted him to leave.
Praying the next chapter will be an amazing one— Steve Nuth (@SteveNuth) February 13, 2018
A real shame about Ryan Mason. A player who waited years and years to get his chance, was so important to us in 2014/15 and getting Pochettino through that season.
— Sean Walsh (@SeanDZWalsh) February 13, 2018
Feel so sorry for Ryan Mason being forced to retire early ? I know it won’t replace the buzz of playing but hopefully Spurs can get him working with our youth teams as his experience going through the system is invaluable! #OneOfOurOwn
— Clare ???????? (@chilly_spurs) February 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/Morganslaw/status/963364581124071424
Sad that Mason has announced his retirement so young. He and Bentaleb bossed our midfield not too long ago. Get him a coaching role @SpursOfficial ?
— Lauren (@LScan18) February 13, 2018
Gutted for Ryan Mason #alwaysayid
— Jack Merrell (@arcticmerrell) February 13, 2018
Ryan Mason, he's one of our own.
— Jocke Wallin (@wallyjakeman) February 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/TomFoins/status/963363326133710849
Horrible for Mason to have to retire so young
Hopefully @SpursOfficial can sort something out for him in terms of a coaching role— Alex (@alexleyton2021) February 13, 2018
What a player @RyanMason was for Spurs. Played with such emotion and passion for the team. A career ending far too early. Hope he can now join up with Spurs in their coaching department. One Ryan Mason! ? #COYS pic.twitter.com/NQrxtPRRUW
— Harry Hotspur (@HarryHotspurWHL) February 13, 2018