Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has been left 'devastated' after hearing the news that Ryan Mason is to retire from football at the age of 26, saying the consequences of their clash of heads has been 'heartbreaking'.
Mason sustained a fractured skull after competing with Cahill during a corner in a Premier League match last January. He required emergency surgery on 'life-threatening injuries' and was released eight days later.
Although he had originally hoped to return to football, Mason announced that he will take medical advice and hang up his boots. Cahill was quick to issue a public response via Twitter.