Leinster and Ireland player Fergus McFadden will retire when the 2019/20 rugby season concludes.
The 33-year-old first disclosed the decision in an interview with Peter O'Reilly in today's Sunday Times.
McFadden has made 184 appearances for Leinster to date along with winning 34 caps for Ireland.
"They say the best time to leave a party is when you’re still having fun so the time has come for me to announce my retirement from the end of the season," McFadden told the Leinster Rugby website.
"It’s hard to put into words what a privilege it has been to have had such a long career playing for the team I grew up supporting and pulling on a green jersey to play for my country. It has been a dream come true."
The Kildare man made his Leinster debut in 2007 while his international bow came four years later.
"Fergus has been an amazing contributor to lots of great things that have taken place in Leinster and Irish rugby and he’s definitely one of the great characters that we’ve had around in the group," said Leinster head coach Leo Cullen.
"The versatility piece that Fergus has is hugely important. It can go against some players and tough calls not going their way but he would always do what’s best for the team. For example, even though typically your ten would take kicks, Fergus had no problem stepping up at crucial moments to take the pressure off someone. He had so many strings to his bow and he’s going to be a great loss to the group."
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
