YORK Knights' Richie Myler has announced his retirement after an 18-year career in rugby league.

The half-back, who made the shock move to the Knights from Betfred Super League giants Leeds Rhinos in November, scored twice in three appearances for York before requiring surgery on an elbow injury sustained in their Betfred Championship defeat at Doncaster last month.

Head coach Andrew Henderson revealed that the club's marquee signing would be out for at least three months in his recovery.

However, following the completion of surgery, discussions with his family, alongside the extended road to recovery, led Myler to share his decision to retire with chairman Clint Goodchild last week.

Over the course of his career, the 33-year-old made 401 appearances for Widnes Vikings, Salford Red Devils, Warrington Wolves, Catalans Dragons, Leeds Rhinos and the Knights, scoring 208 tries in the process.

Myler also tasted glory, lifting both the 2011 League Leaders' Shield and 2012 Challenge Cup with Warrington, before claiming the Lance Todd Trophy in the Rhinos' Challenge Cup win in 2020.

Myler has been widely linked with a move to become director of rugby at Hull FC, with  owner Adam Pearson preparing a shake-up after the Black and Whites' disappointing start to the Super League season.

During the BBC's coverage of the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter final between Hull KR and Leigh Leopards on Saturday, former Bradford Bulls star Robbie Hunter-Paul labelled the position a "baptism of fire."

Salford Red Devils star Ryan Brierley also appeared to have been caught off-guard by the news, saying: “It’s a crazy one. I would be interested to see what qualifications Richie has for leading a massive club like that."