Darius Boyd has this morning announced he will retire from Rugby League at the end of the 2020 NRL season.

Boyd, who is entering his 15th season in the NRL with 317 games to his name, said he was excited to be playing his last year for the club he grew up supporting.

He thanked the game for all it had given him, including the opportunity to forge a life with his greatest supporters - wife Kayla and their two daughters.

“This 2020 season will be my last in rugby league,” said Boyd in an open letter to the fans of rugby league.

“My body feels great, I’m still excited about playing. But I’m also excited about the next chapter of my life. And I will go into that next chapter so grateful for everything that has happened over my 15 seasons in the NRL.

“I’ve been fortunate to have some great times in footy – a premiership in my first year with the Broncos, a premiership at the Dragons, State of Origin series wins that will stay with me forever, and the honour of playing for my country.

“I grew up a Broncos supporter and I was lucky enough to captain this great club. But you can only do those things because of teammates, coaches and management. I’m grateful for them all.”

The 2010 Clive Churchill Medal winner announced his retirement this morning alongside Brisbane Broncos’ chief executive Paul White and head coach Anthony Seibold.

“Darius is a Premiership winner and a legend of our club,” said White.

“We have all watched Darius mature and grow over the past 14 years in the NRL, and today he sits before you as one of our game’s great statesman and a fantastic ambassador for rugby league.”

Said Seibold: “Darius is a legend of the game and the Broncos’ club. He has achieved every accolade in the game possible, and still has plenty left to contribute to our team in this, his final year.”