Heighington to hang up the boots at seasons end

Newcastle Knights veteran Chris Heighington has today announced his retirement from the NRL at the end of the season.

Heighington, 35, has totalled 334 appearances in the NRL over 16 seasons, playing at the elite level across three NRL clubs.

The veteran forward made his debut for the Wests Tigers in 2003, where he played 10 seasons before making a move to the Cronulla Sharks in 2013.

Heighington played 202 games for the Tigers, including being a part of the 2005 premiership-winning team, before making the switch to the shire, where he completed five seasons and became a dual-premiership winner in 2016.

After signing a one-year deal with the Knights in 2018, Heighington is set to hang up the boots at seasons end and will finish eighth on the all-time games record list for the NRL.

The English international has represented his country in the 2011 Four Nations tournament before earning a recall to the Lions for the 2017 World Cup.

Heighington told Knights.com.au it is the right time to end what has been a stellar career.

"A lot of ex-players told me I would know when it's time, but I haven't felt that feeling yet, but I do know the pre-seasons are long and another year is a big ask," Heighington said.

"I want to go out on my terms. I'm still playing injury free and I don't want to be greedy.

"I could try and continue to play but I risk picking up a bad injury or slipping in form, so I feel it's my time to move over and let one of the young boys come in."