FORMER Dragons and Sharks forward Lance Thompson has been found dead in his Cronulla unit overnight.

Police arrived at the scene on The Kingsway at around 9pm on Thursday night after being found by his 17-year-old daughter.

The cause of death is unknown but police are not treating it as suspicious or an incident of self harm.

Round 20

The 40-year-old played 239 first grade games, most for the Dragons, before retiring at the end of the 2008 NRL season when he was forced into early retirement with chronic knee injuries.

He was also diagnosed with type one diabetes at age 29.

Thompson revealed in June that he had struggled with life since retiring from football.

“It was a struggle for me because football was so structured, the club does everything for you, they feed you, they massage you they tell you where to be and what time, everything was handed on a silver platter but when you step out of football you’re on your own,” Thompson told Macquarie Radio.

Lance Thompson was renowned as one of the toughest competitors in rugby league. Source: News Corp Australia

“It’s a very tough thing.”

The Dragons will wear black armbands as a mark of respect in their Sunday match against the Bulldogs.

“Lance was a colourful, earnest rugby league character and a loyal friend of many at the Dragons,” Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust said on Friday.

“We are all are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of his passing and our thoughts are with his family.”

Lance spent his final seasons at the Sharks before retiring, a club where he was “loved and respected”.

“The club is deeply saddened by Lance’s passing,” Sharks Football CEo Barry Russell said.

“He was loved and respected by all at the club and our prayers and thoughts go out to his family.”

Thompson was an uncompromising, physical forwad.. Source: News Corp Australia

Thompson was a local junior for St George and played first grade for the Dragons while he was still at high school.

Thompson recently appeared on Fox Sports’ The Fan with Andrew Voss and reflected on his career as well as life after football.

“It was a great feeling,” Thompson said of playing alongside the likes of Gorden Tallis, Nathan Brown and Anthony Mundine.

“It was probably one of the highlights of my career would have been my debut against Cronulla. It was halftime and Brian Smith came up to me and gave me the nod and said ‘are you ready?’”

Thompson played 201 games for the Dragons (both St George and St George Illawarra after they merged in 1999), and said he would have loved to finish his career as a one-club player.

“I do, but let me first say I loved my time at Cronulla and changed as not only a player but a person as well. I met so many great people. Paul Gallen to mention one.

“But I never wanted to leave the Dragons, it wasn’t something that I wanted, it was something that was forced upon me, but that’s something that happens in rugby league.

“I still talk to Pete Doust, I had a good chat to Nathan Brown the other day. I still talk to Trent Barrett. There’s a lot of players there where you forget the bad and remember the good.

“We’re all good friends and we had good times and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

LANCE THOMPSON: NRL MOURNS THE DEATH OF DRAGONS LEGEND

FOND MEMORIES: REMEMBERING RED-HEADED CULT HERO LANCE THOMPSON

Breaking: Sad news former NRL star Lance Thompson has been found dead by his 17yo daughter at his Cronulla unit.. cause of death unknown yet but police say not suspicious .. @TenNewsSydney @tendailyau more details to follow. — Steve Hart (@SteveHartTen) August 23, 2018

Lance Thompson update: Police saying no evidence of self harm more likely his shock death is a medical episode. Very sad. @tendailyau @TenNewsSydney — Steve Hart (@SteveHartTen) August 23, 2018

A very sad day for Rugby League with the passing of NRL star Lance Thompson; a much-loved member of the rugby league community. Condolences to his family #nrl @NRL_Dragons — Peter Beattie (@SmartState1) August 23, 2018

Terribly sad news of Lance Thompson’s passing. Had a beer with him last Thursday. My god! RIP Thommo. Thoughts with his family and friends — Darryl Brohman (@therealbigmarn) August 23, 2018

Sad news breaking this morning that former champion Rugby League forward Lance Thompson has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/2utZex4v6m — Mark Levy & Mark Riddell (@LevyandRiddell) August 23, 2018

Very sad to hear the passing of Lance Thompson overnight, one of my childhood favourites and a local hero who I looked up to and was lucky enough to get to know over the years, champion bloke and player. Rest In Peace Mate! pic.twitter.com/0K5yWQK3g7 — Keith Galloway (@kgalloway85) August 23, 2018