Former Super League veteran Brett Ferres is the latest rugby league player to confirm their retirement, as he brings an end to a 22-year playing career.

The 40-year-old currently plays for Goole Vikings in the Championship, but with their season coming to an end this week, he and three other members of their squad have all announced their decision to hang up their boots.

Ferres made his Super League debut back in 2005 for Bradford Bulls, playing two seasons at Odsal before moving to Wakefield Trinity in 2007.

There, he spent another two years, making 41 appearances before another West Yorkshire switch saw him join Castleford, where he would stay for four years.

A move to Huddersfield Giants came part-way through 2012, and there he was part of the side that won the League Leaders’ Shield in 2013, the last time the Claret and Gold outfit have won a trophy.

He was named in the Super League Dream Team that year, and his efforts earned him a return to the England set-up, where he would be selected for the World Cup.

In 2016, he moved to Leeds Rhinos, where he became a Grand Final winner the following year. After 86 appearances in Blue and Amber, he joined Featherstone Rovers in 2020, before moves to Doncaster and Goole have formed the latter part of his career.

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Ferres has made a total of 296 Super League appearances, but 472 overall, highlighting what a servant he has been to the professional game.

Joining him in retiring from Goole are vice-captain Jack Aldous, Ben Dent and Jack Coventry.

Brett Ferres retires from rugby league aged 40

“I’ve been really blessed with the things I’ve been able to achieve and the opportunities I’ve had within the game,” Ferres told the Goole club website.

“Initially, the dream was simply to become a rugby player, so signing for Bradford and making my debut there was a massively proud moment for me.

“Playing for England was something I never really envisioned when I started my career, so to be able to do that 15 times, represent my country at a World Cup and then pick up silverware with Leeds was unreal.

“I still feel like I could play on, but I know the time is right. It feels like the right decision for me and my family, and I’m excited about what comes next.”