Titans hooker Aaron Booth has been forced to retire from NRL at the age of just 27 after suffering a serious knee injury.
Booth made his debut for the Gold Coast in 2022, but suffered a sickening multi-ligament knee injury in Round 21 that cut his season short.
It’s now that injury that’s forced the well-respected league player to hang up the boots on advice from medical professionals.
“Obviously I wanted to keep playing as I’m only 27, so it was a hard call to make,” Boothy said.
“After many conversations with medical opinions I trust, it is best for my long-term health that I make the decision to retire.
“I’ve probably been feeling it for a little while that it (knee) isn’t getting back to the level I’d like it to be at.
“It was a gruesome injury and it’s been a long recovery and unfortunately it’s not going to get back to a level to handle the NRL schedule.”
Booth won’t be going anywhere though, with the club confirming he’ll remain at the Titans in an administratie role, while also continuing as an assistant coach with the club’s NRLW team.
“Aaron is a fantastic individual and I’m so pleased that he will remain around our club,” Gold Coast CEO Steve Mitchell said.
“I’m disappointed that injuries cost us seeing the best of Aaron Booth on-field, but I’m excited for him to move into the next phase of his career.
“Aaron has a great footy brain and he is already showing his talents as a coach under Karyn Murphy in our NRLW program.
“He will also move into an administrative role which will allow him to be involved in the business side of the club as well as his coaching duties.”
It comes after Booth’s good mate, Sharks star Nicho Hynes, dedicated the rest of his stellar season to the injured dummy half last year.
“I’m going to try and dedicate the rest of this year to him… He’s the best mate and he pretty much saved my life,” Hynes told reporters after Booth suffered the horror knee injury.
“He’s had a terrible run with injuries, and it just breaks my heart to see.
“He’s worked so hard to get back to where he is each time to play NRL and he unfortunately just has no luck with injuries.”
In his retirement announcement, Booth said he’s grateful for everyone he’s met during his playing career, admitting it’s hard to single anyone out.
“I simply want to say thank you to everyone that has contributed, I genuinely appreciate it all,” he said.
“My parents, partner, siblings and friends who have been on the inside of this journey – thank you most of all.
“I am so excited for this next chapter of my life and look forward to my new roles at the club.”
