Luke Keary has announced he will retire from the NRL at the end of the season, opting out of the final year of his Sydney Roosters deal in doing so.
Keary told his Roosters teammates of his decision on Monday, before officially announcing his impending exit.
The Roosters five-eighth will play out the rest of 2024. His decision is not linked to the several concussions he has suffered throughout his career.
Newsletters: Our top sports news direct to your inbox. Subscribe now
“After 12 seasons (at the top level) and 27 years playing the game I love, I have decided this (year) will be my last and that I will be retiring at the end of the year,” he said.
“It’s a decision I have had thought long and hard about and I know it’s the right one for me and my family.
“Rugby league has been a huge part of my life, and I’m proud of the career I’ve had.
“Rugby league is the ultimate team sport, and I wouldn’t be here today without my teammates, coaches, support staff, family, friends and mentors.”
Keary’s choice to walk away comes just months after he signed a one-year extension to play on into 2025.
His exit is likely to leave Sandon Smith alongside Sam Walker in the Roosters halves next year.
A rugby union prodigy as a teen, Keary debuted at South Sydney in 2013 and won a premiership as five-eighth in his second season.
But after a falling out with the Rabbitohs’ co-owner Russell Crowe, Keary headed to the Roosters in 2017 where he won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019.
His performance in the 2018 grand final — in which he claimed the Clive Churchill Medal — was arguably the best of his career.
Keary played a sole State of Origin match for NSW in 2020, to go with two Tests for Australia in 2018.
“I want you all to know that every time I put that Roosters jersey on, I gave every bit of myself to it and through the good and bad I hope I have been able to make you all proud,” Keary added.
“It’s been a huge honour to play most of my career with the Sydney Roosters. This club and this area have become my home and I can’t thank all the staff, and all our members and sponsors enough.
“I’m looking forward to taking on the new challenges in my post-footy career, but right now, my main focus is on giving my all for this great club for the remainder of our 2024 campaign.
“I’m excited about what we are building towards, and I look forward to creating special memories throughout the rest of the year.”
Roosters head coach Trent Robinson paid tribute to the 212-game champion.
“Luke is our vice-captain and a man of high integrity who has always pushed beyond the limits of his physical capability,” Robinson said.
“He has pushed through pain and bled in our jersey to be the best teammate he can be. His fire and craft have made him one of the toughest players that I have coached.
“I thank Luke for his commitment to the Roosters and his honesty in our relationship as a player and coach.”
– With AAP