Former Aberdeen defender Tommie Hoban retires aged 27
The defender joined Crewe from Pittodrie this summer but has made the shock decision to step away from football
Former Aberdeen defender Tommie Hoban has retired from football at the age of 27.
The central defender joined the Dons on loan for the 2018-19 season but had an injury-hit campaign.
He returned to Pittodrie on a permanent basis last year and played 44 times in all competitions.
Hoban decided to leave Stephen Glass' side this summer at the end of his contract to join English League One side Crewe Alexandra.
However, he has now informed his new side that he is retiring from the sport - just days ahead of their League One opener against Cheltenham.
Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell said: "I had a text off Tommie on the Wednesday before the Cheltenham game, he said he didn't feel quite right, but it was a pleasant message.
"I gave him a ring and he just told me that he was retiring over the phone and I haven't seen him since.
"That's the long and the short of it. The contract situation has been getting sorted over this last week and unfortunately, Tommie has decided to retire."