Former Wigan Warriors forward Joel Tomkins has retired with immediate effect after informing Leigh Centurions that he will not be taking up his contract with the Championship club for 2022.
The decision means the 34-year-old bowed out in last month’s Grand Final, when Catalans Dragons narrowly lost to St Helens at Old Trafford.
Tomkins spent two years in Perpignan after leaving Hull KR suddenly at the end of the 2019 season.
The forward made his Super League debut for Wigan in 2005 and enjoyed a second spell with the club from 2014 to 2018 after a stint in rugby union with Saracens.
Tomkins, who represented England in both codes, had agreed to link up with Leigh on a one-year contract after leaving Catalans but has decided to call it a day.
“Professional rugby has been a priority in my life for the last 17 years and now, at 34, it feels right to retire,” he said.
“It has been a great way to earn a living and I have some great memories and have made some great friends at the few different clubs I have represented over the years.
“I’ve also had some low points and experienced both good and bad sides of being a professional sportsman in the public eye.
“I’ve learned from my mistakes over the years and I’m happy with the person I am today, closing this chapter of my life and moving on to the next.
“I’m proud of what I have achieved and happy to retire on my own terms. I now look forward to exploring other opportunities and being the best person I can be.
“I’d like to thank Leigh Centurions for their understanding of my situation and wish them every success for the future.
“I wanted to do the right thing by the club and they respect that. I’d like to also thank all the clubs I’ve played for during my career and all the people, especially my family, who have supported me along the way.”
Leigh head of rugby Chris Chester added: “We’re obviously disappointed that Joel is not joining us, but we fully support his decision.
“Joel’s had a great, great career and he’s a person I’ve a huge amount of respect for. He always comes across as humble and we’ll miss his leadership which was one of the biggest reasons we recruited him.
“We all wish him well in his future endeavours.”
