Parramatta forward Keegan Hipgrave has been forced into an early retirement on medical advice.
Hipgrave suffered a head knock against Penrith in round 25 of the 2021 season, the latest of several concussions in the 24-year-old Queenslander's career.
The Eels confirmed the news on Friday, seeing Hipgrave bow out with a year to run on his contract with the club.
"Keegan has been a wonderful addition to our club and a very popular member of the team," Eels football manager Mark O'Neill said.
"While it’s a shame his career has prematurely come to an end due to injury, the health and wellbeing of our players is always our first priority.
"We wish Keegan and his partner Izzy all the best of luck with their future."
Hipgrave confirmed the news on social media on Friday.
"I’m so grateful to have been able to call rugby league my job for the past 7 years," he wrote.
"Unfortunately, it’s my time to hang up the boots. After discussions with neurologists and my family, I’ve made the decision to retire from the NRL.
"I’ve had the best time, met some great friends, made a ton of memories and wouldn’t change any of it for the world.
"Huge thank you to Parramatta Eels for supporting me through this. I’m not sure where 2022 will take me but I’m excited to see what the next chapter holds."
Hipgrave played 49 first-grade games, nine of those with Parramatta after crossing from the Titans at the end of 2020.
The Gold Coast-product made his NRL debut in 2017.
