PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 10: Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs looks to the replay screen during the round one NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the New Zealand Warriors at Optus Stadium on March 10, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
South Sydney superstar Sam Burgess has been forced into early retirement, according to The Daily Telegraph.
A chronic shoulder problem means the 30-year old will have to walk away from the game on medical grounds.
An announcement from the Bunnies is reportedly imminent.
Burgess picked up an infection following shoulder surgery a few months ago and reportedly only has 25 per cent bone in one of his shoulders.
He is contracted until 2023 on a deal worth over $1 million a season.
South Sydney will now discuss with the NRL how much of the Englishman's contract will be exempt from their salary cap over the next few years.
Fox Sports revealed on Tuesday that the Rabbitohs were interested in Dragon Tyson Frizell as a replacement for Burgess, while they have also been linked to names like David Fifita and Ryan Matterson.