West Ham favourite Jack Collison has sent a touching message to Gareth Bale after his retirement announcement.
They may have once competed against one another with bitter rivals West Ham and Tottenham but Collison and Bale did share a Wales dressing room.
Collison will always be fondly remembered at West Ham.
The former midfielder played 105 games for the Hammers, scoring 11 goals. That included crucial strikes in the Championship Play-Off semi-final victory over Cardiff City in 2012.
After graduating to the West Ham first team from the club’s famous academy, Collison was one of the hottest prospects around.
But a series of devastating injuries restricted his playing time and he was forced to retire this year aged just 27.
He will forever be remembered for playing for the club in a famous cup win over bitter rivals Millwall just days after his dad had died in a motorbike crash on the way to watching his emerging son against Tottenham Hotspur.
West Ham fans will forever wonder just what might have been for Collison at West Ham had he not suffered the injuries which ultimately cut short such a promising career.
One player who did fulfil his potential and then some was Bale.
West Ham favourite Jack Collison sends touching message to Gareth Bale after retirement announcement
The former Southampton, Spurs, Real Madrid and LAFC star has announced his retirement from all forms of professional football aged 33.
Bale posted the news on his social media yesterday and reserved a special post for Wales and his former national team teammates, managers, staff and of course fans.
Now West Ham favourite Collison has sent a touching message to Bale after his retirement announcement.
“Congratulations on an incredible career Gareth Bale,” Collison said alongside a picture of the pair together with Wales.
“Blessed to have been able to share a pitch with you – simply one of the very best… ever.
“Enjoy your retirement.”