League: Lockyer to retire at end of season

Darren Lockyer during a Queensland Maroons Origin training session in June last year. Photo / Getty Images

Australian rugby league captain Darren Lockyer has announced he will retire from playing at the end of this season.

Lockyer said on Tuesday he felt the time was right to move on after his 17th season in first grade.

The Brisbane skipper, who turned 34 last week, has played 336 NRL games for Brisbane since his debut 1995, helping the Broncos to four premierships.

He's also played a record 54 tests for Australia and 33 State of Origin matches for Queensland.

"I'm still enjoying playing and excited about the Broncos for the rest of 2011," said Lockyer in a club statement.

"It will be hard to leave my teammates at the Broncos but I know the timing is right.

"I've had a wonderful career as a rugby league player and I just feel it's time to move on to the next chapter."

- AAP