Former Great Britain scrum-half Sean Long has announced his retirement from Rugby League at the age of 34.
Long injured his shoulder in June playing for Hull FC in a game against Hull Kingston Rovers, which turned out to be his last.
"Making this decision has been killing me. It isn't how I wanted to end my career," Long told the Hull Daily Mail.
"It has been such a difficult decision, but an opportunity has come up and it is something I have to take now.
"I am disappointed I won't get to see things through at Hull, especially with a new owner coming in. But I've not spoken to anyone, there is no deal on the table and I cannot afford to sit around waiting for a deal."
The half-back's most successful years came during his time at St Helens, where he spent 12 years between 1997-2009.
Hull chief executive James Rule told the club's website: "Whilst we maybe didn’t get to see the very best of Sean during his time with Hull FC, we did benefit from the rare glimpses of world class talent he has as a player.
“Throughout the best part of the last two decades, Sean has been one of the games leading names and has had a strong influence on our side on and off the field, including as our captain in 2010.”
Long was named Man of Steel in 2000 and kicked drop goals to win both the World Club Challenge in 2001 and the Challenge Cup the following year.
Pascal Lemesre
