Roosters cult hero Eloni Vunakece has been forced into premature retirement after suffering 10 suspected concussions in the space of a year.

Vunakece copped the latest head knock while playing for the Roosters’ feeder club, Wyong, in their finals loss to Canterbury. He predicts he has been concussed about 15 times over the course of his footballing life, dating back to when he began playing as a child.

The Fijian international rose to prominence during the 2016 season when he made nine NRL appearances for the Roosters. Fans quickly fell in love with the afro-haired prop who had to wait until his 28th birthday to play first grade and subsidised his football income with work as a garbage collector.

Heavy hitter: Eloni Vunakece's career is over after suffering multiple concussions. Credit:NRL Photos

Vunakece had represented Fiji in two World Cups and was hopeful of making it to a third while trying to break back into a star-studded Roosters side. However, medicos feared for his health after suffering a spate of concussions in a short space of time.