Ryan Mason has claimed that he can look back on his football career with pride after having achieved all of his childhood dreams.
The 26-year-old announced his retirement from football on Tuesday, 13 months after suffering a life-threatening head injury in a match between Hull City and Chelsea.
Mason was hospitalised for over a week and left with 14 metal plates in his head after fracturing his skull in a clash of heads with Blues defender Gary Cahill.
Although Mason appeared set for a comeback following what appeared to be a successful recovery, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder revealed that he has been forced to retire on medical advice.
"I dreamed of walking out at White Hart Lane and I achieved that, I scored Premier League goals for Tottenham, I captained the team and obviously to go on and play for England as well, it's what every player dreams of," Mason told talkSPORT.
"I look back and in the last three years since I made my breakthrough at Tottenham I've achieved a hell of a lot in the game.
"Obviously it's a shame that's not going to continue over the next ten years, but I have achieved all of my childhood dreams.
"I'm very fortunate to be walking away from the game at a young age, having been content and knowing that I achieved those dreams."
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has opened the door for Mason to return to the club in some capacity further down the line.
