Wests Tigers forward Liam Fulton has announced his retirement from rugby league, effective immediately.
The 29-year-old, who played 162 games with the club and was a part of the Tigers inaugural 2005 premiership win, made the difficult decision to end his playing career following a series of concussion injuries in 2014.
Fulton sustained four concussions in six games this year, and after consultation with family and teammates made the call to stand down from the game for the sake of his long-term health.
Tigers CEO Grant Mayer commended the veteran forward on his decision as well as a career that spanned over a decade in the NRL and English Super League with the Huddersfield Giants.
"Liam has made a very brave decision, one that cannot have been easy for him to make," said Mayer.
"Having spoken at length with Liam, his family and management I know this is the right decision for him and his future health.
"On behalf of Wests Tigers I'd like to thank Liam for his commitment to the Club and look forward to working with him closely into the future."
Coach Mick Potter also praised Fulton, a club and fan favourite over the years, for his conduct over the past few weeks since being concussed against the Knights in Round 13, while also indicating he would remain with the Tigers in an off-field role.
"Liam is a key member of our team and will be sorely missed on the field," said Potter.
"His light-hearted approached to life is refreshing to all of us at Wests Tigers and it's great that he will remain a part of the club."
The news comes as a further blow to the depleted Tigers, who are already without Braith Anasta, James Tedesco, Tim Moltzen, Tim Simona, Corey Paterson and Sausau Sue due to injury.
