Chelsea youngster Sam Hutchinson has been forced to retire from professional football.
Talented youngster quits due to knee problems
Chelsea youngster Sam Hutchinson has been forced to retire from professional football following a recurrence of a knee injury.
The 21-year-old defender has struggled with his fitness for several years, leaving him unable to build on a career that saw him handed his first senior game at the end of the 2006/07 season by Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese coach spoke of his ability to become a first-team player in the future, however despite his young age he has consistently been hampered and has now chosen to quit.
Hutchinson began the 2007/08 season with bright prospects after several appearances for the reserves and also won a place in England's Under-21 squad, as well as making three appearances last season.
He will now be given support by the club to study sports science at university and will work on his coaching qualifications as part of Chelsea's academy.
