Parramatta centre Beau Champion has retired from the NRL due to an ACL injury sustained during the round two match against Canterbury.
Champion, 28, went into intensive rehab after the injury but it did not heal forcing his retirement.
"I trained so hard in the pre-season and trialled well. I was back in a good state of mind mentally and physically where I wanted to be," Champion told Fox Sports.
"Unfortunately, I copped that injury ... Being hyper-mobile and how unstable my knee was basically forced me into retirement."
Over the course of his 100-game career Champion has been notably injury prone with four ankle reconstructions and a knee injury.
However, even with his career cut short, Champion is keeping in high spirits and proud of what he managed to achieve.
"I just wanted to play one NRL game as a kid. To play with the Souths last year, to be in the squad last year in the grand final ... it's something that I look back on and say that I'm very proud to have done it," he said.
Champion began his 10-year career in 2005 playing for the Rabbitohs but moved to both Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans before again returning to Souths in 2013.
In 2015 he signed for the Eels but injury deprived him of spending more time with the team.
"I'm very thankful to Brad Arthur and the Parramatta club for giving me the opportunity this year to play NRL," he said.
"I've had a really great time here, made a lot of friends, and the fans were always great. I'm just sorry it had to end this way and I couldn't give more to the club because the club gave me so much."
Champion said he now plans to shift his career towards running a fitness business and working within the community.
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