HULL FC star Ben Galea has confirmed his career has been ended by an arm injury suffered last weekend in the club's Challenge Cup win at Catalan.
It brings to an end an impressive 15-year career in the NRL and Super League, in which he starred for Hull KR for five years before switching across the city this season.
Scans this week revealed Galea had suffered a torn pectoral muscle,and having already planned to retire at the end of the season, it brings an earlier than expected end to his career.
Galea told the FC website: "This is every player's worst nightmare to have to retire through injury, especially for me personally. 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
"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. I've had fantastic support throughout my career and I'm very grateful that I've had the opportunity to play for as long as I have.
"Most importantly, I'd like to thank my wife and family for sticking by me all this time and supporting me during whatever I wanted to do. I've had 15 fantastic seasons and I've really enjoyed myself."
