Premiership ruckman Ivan Soldo has retired from the AFL after 66 games at the top level across two clubs.
The 30-year-old called time on his career on Tuesday afternoon, having ruptured his right ACL at training in February.
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Soldo played 57 games at Richmond after signing with the club as a Category B rookie in 2014, having been brought to the attention of officials through his cousin — and former Tigers tapster — Ivan Maric.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone at the club – players, coaches, staff, and our supporters,” Soldo said in a club statement.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of this club and to have had the opportunity to play at this level.
“I also want to acknowledge my time at Richmond. I spent almost 10 years there, and it played a huge role in shaping my career and who I am. I’ve got a lot of respect for the people, the success we shared, and everything that came with that period.”
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After developing his craft in the sport through the reserves, he made his AFL debut in Round 7 of 2017 — playing seven games at the top level that season.
Soldo’s career highlight came in 2019, when he partnered now-Richmond captain Toby Nankervis as a second ruck at times throughout the year, before ultimately winning a premiership alongside him against GWS.
After a decade at Punt Road, Soldo was traded to Port Adelaide, where he would play a further eight AFL games in season 2024.
Just one year into his time at Alberton, the 204cm tall requested a move back to Victoria with little luck, and played just one match at the top level last season.
Former Western Bulldogs ruck Jordan Sweet is currently occupying the Power’s ruck duties, with 23-year-old Dante Visentini on the fringes after being dropped one match into the season.
Port Adelaide has two available list spots ahead of this year’s mid-season draft, with Soldo already ruled out for the season with an ACL injury. Key forward Ollie Lord’s unfortunate rupture of the same ligament in the SANFL last weekend has opened up a second vacancy.