5 English players who retired early because of injuries

#4 Ben Collett

Former Manchester United Player Awarded Huge Payout

Ben Collett is the youngest professional player to have retired due to injury. Retiring at the age of 18, Collett suffered a double leg fracture following a rough tackle by Gary Smith against Middlesbrough in 2003.

The former Manchester United player, often touted as the next “Ryan Giggs”, had his career cut short by the double leg break at the age of 18.

In 2008, Collett was awarded £4.5 million compensation after he took legal proceeding against Gary Smith and Middlesbrough.

A case that led former United Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson and club captain, Gary Neville to testify in Court about the player's ability and the potential to have risen to stardom if he had not been injured in their game against Middlesbrough.