ENGLAND international Ryan Mason has been forced to retire at the age of 26 just over a year after suffering a horror head injury against Chelsea.

The Hull City midfielder fractured his skull last January after clashing heads with Gary Cahill and was immediately rushed to the hospital for life-saving surgery.

But despite his brave and grueling efforts to get back on the pitch, the ex-Tottenham star, who welcomed his first child George into the world in December, says he now has “no option” but to hang up his boots following medical advice.

Hull were the first to confirm the sad news earlier today.

🔶◾️ | It is with deep regret that the Club has to announce, following the head injury suffered on 22nd January 2017, @RyanMason is to retire from football with immediate effect ➡️ https://t.co/ccKiMlH6ZK pic.twitter.com/uNQ6mALO35

— Hull City (@HullCity) February 13, 2018

A club statement read: “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 neurosurgeons who have all advised that a return to competitive football is not advised.

“Ryan would like to put on record his thanks to all at the club who have aided his recovery to this point and he his is indebted to them for their support and compassion over the past 12 months.”

Following the heartbreaking confirmation from the Championship side, Mason took to Instagram to release a statement of his own.

He wrote: “I can confirm that following specialist medical advice I am having to retire from playing professional football.

“I have worked tirelessly in order to be able to return to the pitch. 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.