Sam Hutchinson makes an unlikely comeback!

[DavidEU 2,023]

Poor Sam. Gutted for the guy.

Sam Hutchinson has announced his retirement as a professional footballer.

Unfortunately the 21-year-old defender suffered a reoccurrence of the knee injury that affected his past three seasons and it is has been decided he will not recover sufficiently for the physical demands of a professional career.

Hutchinson will continue to be supported by Chelsea Football Club and will work in our Academy while also studying sports science at university. He will later pursue coaching qualifications.

He made his first-team debut as a substitute in the final league game of the 2006/07 season and was part of the first team pre-season visit to the United States that followed. Then-manager José Mourinho spoke about him as a future permanent member of the Chelsea squad.

Comfortable at full-back or in central-defence, Hutchinson was expected to make rapid progress but after just five reserve games in 2007/08, the knee problems began and brought the season to a halt.

Further recovery time was needed in the middle section of 2008/09, limiting Sam to six games for the reserves, a side which he had captained.

He joined Chelsea at the age of nine and developed into an England Under-19 international. He received an England Under 21 call-up but withdrew to manage his injury, a process that looked to be paying dividends when Hutchinson rejoined the first team squad for the pre-season tour of the US in 2009.

Last season he played as a sub against Fulham in August, started against QPR in the Carling Cup, before in April, coming on in the 7-0 home win over Stoke and crossing for Frank Lampard's goal.

In total Hutchinson started one game for Chelsea and made three sub appearances. Chelsea Football Club thanks him for his on-pitch contribution and wishes him well in his future work with the club.

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2128249,00.html

Good luck with everything you choose to do Sam.

[Manuf 1,448]

Feel so sad for the lad He was such a promising star

[Randall 315]

Such a sad story. Poor lad. Glad to see Chelsea will continue to support him and not just throw him aside, hopefully he can be a youth coach or something with the blues in the future. Shame because he always acquitted himself well for us and seemed like a nice chap.

[Milan 17,854]

I feel so sorry for him, poor Sam. I thought he would replace Terry at some point

Best of luck in the future Sam!

[Peace. 4,352]

Damn.......

Good luck to him.

It's good to see Chelsea don't throw him away.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Oh god :|

Sad to see this!

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

Really sad to hear, good luck to him in whatever he decides to do next.

[- 25 - 167]

What a pity, expected him to be one of the ones to break through this season.

[chrismada9 1,948]

I feel so sorry for him! He's worked so hard to get where he is and now he has to retire because of a recurring injury.

I'll never forget his assist for Lampard's goal against Stoke last year

[Aria 19]

I feel very sorry for him but sometimes that's just the way it goes. At least Chelsea support him so life shouldn't be too hard for him, walk on, Sammy!

[Term-X 7,891]

Sad news, good to hear the club have a future for him one way or another though.

[BomTrett 50]

Gutted for him, honestly believed he was ready to be our 3rd right back choice, waiting for Ferreira to leave to get his chance. Sad to see injury wrecking his career, but good to see Chelsea supporting him, and that he'll at least stay in sport for his new career

[Chelsea Fc 2]

Sad news,really ...

Good luck Sam.

[TrueChelseaBlue 105]

absolutely devastated. Knowing Sam, he's a very determined, genuine and all round nice guy but it's so sad to know he's retiring. maybe look into coaching Sammy boy. Good luck fella.

[zolayes 14,489]

remember well his first pre season in USA ,,,so much promise ..pleased to see we are standing by him ..

[BRMC 12]

What a shame, gutted for him

[eldo 868]

I somehow knew that this will happen.

It is a shame, he was promising.

Good luck with new career.

[Cosmin 2,484]

I'm so sorry for him...Good luck, Sam!