Cronulla captain Trent Barrett has confirmed he will retire at the end of the 2010 NRL season.
Barrett will draw the curtain on a 15-season career playing for Illawarra, St George Illawarra, Wigan and the Sharks.
The 32-year-old will leave the game as the incumbent NSW captain, having played 11 games for the Blues and 15 Tests for Australia.
"I have decided after long and careful consideration to announce my retirement from rugby league at the conclusion of the current season," Barrett told the Sharks website.
"I would like to thank everyone, especially my lovely wife Kylie and my family who have supported and encouraged me every step of the way during my career in the greatest game of all.
"I feel privileged to have played at three terrific clubs in St George Illawarra, Wigan and Cronulla and to have been coached by some very talented coaches.
"Among the highlights of my career was that I got to play with and against many of the genuine superstars of the game.
"Rugby league has been good to me and I hope to continue my involvement in the game with the NRL and country rugby league helping to foster and promote the sport in the bush."
Barrett's decision ends months of speculation, including being linked to swansongs with Canberra and Parramatta.
He is the latest to announce his departure from struggling Cronulla, joining coach Ricky Stuart and former chief executive Richard Fisk.
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