Carlton defender Alex Silvagni has announced his retirement from AFL football.
Silvagni has missed the entire 2018 season due to an Achilles injury, and retires after seven games for the Blues in 2017.
The 30-year-old was selected by Carlton in the 2017 rookie draft, after playing 53 games for Fremantle between 2010-2016.
“Clearly you want to have the ability to play on forever, but deep down I knew my body was not up to returning to the rigours of senior football, so in the end the decision came relatively easily,” Silvagni told carltonfc.com.au.
“I’ve loved my short time at Carlton and I'm incredibly grateful to the entire football club for the belief they’ve shown me since I arrived at Ikon Park.
"I’d also like to take this time to thank the medical and welfare teams at Carlton, who have been very supportive of my pursuit to get back onto the track despite a number of injuries along the way in recent years.
“Importantly, I’d like to acknowledge my teammates at both Fremantle and Carlton. You come to work every day because of them. To my coaches along the way, thank-you for what you have done.
“I believe in the direction the Blues are heading and will be watching on fondly over the next few years knowing sustained success won’t be far off. It’s been incredibly exciting to be a part of.”
