Gary Cahill 'devastated' at Ryan Mason retirement after head clash that caused the injury

Mason announced his retirement at the age of 26

The clash of heads between the pair is what led to Mason's retirement (Getty)

Ryan Mason's retirement after he failed to recover from a serious head injury sufficiently enough to return to the pitch had "devastated" Gary Cahill, the Chelsea defender has said.

Mason announced his retirement from soccer on Tuesday after he suffered a fractured skull following a head clash with Cahill while contesting a corner during Hull City's defeat to Chelsea in January 2017.

"Devastated to hear today's news from Ryan," Cahill said on his official Twitter account.

"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."