A gifted teen footballer was paralyzed in a freak accident.

Corey Prendergast suffered a severe spinal injury while playing football with friends last month, and former stars John Aldridge and John O’Shea have come out in support of the 17-year-old.

A 17-year-dreams old’s of becoming a footballer were dashed after a freak accident paralyzed him.

Last month, Corey Prendergast of Cashel, Ireland, was out playing with friends when he suffered a severe spinal injury.

He is currently receiving treatment at the Mater Hospital in Dublin, with friends, family, and the wider community rallying behind him through a fundraising page.

The shocking accident has had a significant impact on the local community as well as Corey’s parents, Amanda and Ian, who have been travelling from Tipperary to Dublin each day.

Former Irish internationals John Aldridge and John O’Shea have both expressed their support for him.

Cashel Town FC, Corey’s club, has rallied around him to support his parents and has organized a fundraising campaign, Kick it for Corey, to aid his recovery.

Former Liverpool and Ireland international Aldridge has backed the campaign, sending Corey his best wishes in a video message and saying he hopes to see him at Anfield again in the future.

He said: “Hello, Corey. This is John Aldridge, an ex-Liverpool and Republic of Ireland striker. I believe you, like me, support both teams. I hope you’re doing well.” I believe you’ve been in a bad accident and aren’t feeling well right now, so I just wanted to say hello.