Hull FC forward Ben Galea has announced his retirement with immediate effect.
The 34-year-old Australia second rower was planning to end his rugby league career at the end of the season, his 15th in the professional game.
But after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in the Black and Whites’ Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Catalan Dragons last Saturday, he has been forced to bring forward his retirement.
“This is every player’s worst nightmare to have to retire through injury, especially for me personally,” he said. “When I decided to play for one more year for Hull FC, I had a huge desire to play really well and end my career on a high.
“I felt great, I felt as though I had another very good season in me and for that to end through injury is gut-wrenching.
“Everybody has dreams of finishing by holding up a trophy and we’re in a position at the moment where that’s a definite possibility, so that makes it even harder.
“Unfortunately, that’s the way it can go in rugby league at times but I’d like to thank all of the supporters from Wests Tigers, Hull KR and Hull FC, the three great clubs I have been fortunate enough to play for.”
Galea, who played 15 times for Hull FC after joining them from local rivals Hull KR at the end of last season, will undergo surgery next week before remaining in East Yorkshire to begin his rehabilitation.
“I still feel like I’ve got a lot to give off the field,” he added. “I’ll certainly be sticking around until the end of the season to help out wherever I can.”
State of Mind would like to wish Ben all the very best for the future and thank him for all the entertainment he provided at the highest level