Jeff Hughes admits he feels "blessed" to have enjoyed a career spanning over two decades after announcing his retirement from football.
The 37-year-old suffered a ruptured ACL with MCL and meniscus damage during last month's win over Portadown and has made the decision based on medical advice.
Hughes had hoped to play out this season before calling time on his career, with Larne currently battling it out for the Premiership title.
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The hugely gifted midfielder made his first senior debut for Larne back in August 2003 at the age of 18, before moving across the water where he played for clubs including Lincoln City, Crystal Palace, Peterborough United, Bristol Rovers, Notts. County, Fleetwood Town, Cambridge United and Tranmere Rovers.
Hughes - who also earned two caps for Northern Ireland - returned to his hometown club for a second spell in July 2018 and helped the Inver Reds secure promotion from the Championship, win three senior trophies and qualify for Europe on two occasions.
Hughes told Larne's website: “It’s unfortunate that my retirement has had to come early, as I believe this team is capable of challenging at the top this season and I wanted to continue playing my part on the pitch to achieve more success with the club.
“However, I’ve been blessed with an incredible career which has spanned over 20 years, something that I could only have dreamed of when I first made the move to Lincoln City back in 2005. To play for so many big clubs was a huge honour which I will never take for granted, and I can look back fondly at my time with each of them.
“I will forever be grateful that I could return to Inver Park for my last stop as a player. It was a dream to lead my hometown club into Europe for the first time, alongside bringing silverware back to the town over the past few years.
“For now, I will focus on my rehabilitation and would like to thank everyone who has supported me since the injury, and to all of the fans for their support over the past five years.
“I will continue to support the lads where I can during the run-in and look forward to continuing to work with the club and helping bring more success to the town long-term.”
Hughes looks set to have a future with Larne off the pitch, with the club saying there will be "further announcements" during Wednesday, alongside information on a ‘Benefit Year’ for the Inver legend.
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