FORMER York City Knights star Danny Brough has been forced to retire on medical advice.

A Bradford Bulls player last season, Brough featured 53 times for York between 2003 and 2004, scoring 20 tries before moving on to Hull FC.

He retires as the joint fifth-highest points scorer in the history of rugby league and enjoyed an illustrious career spanning three decades.

Brough, pictured, played in over 500 competitive games and represented clubs such as Huddersfield, Hull and Wakefield Trinity in the sport’s top flight.

He was a key figure as Hull lifted the Challenge Cup – under current Bradford boss John Kear – in 2005 and was a driving force behind Huddersfield Giants’ League Leaders success in 2013.

Kear paid tribute to a “legend of the sport” and thanked him for his service to rugby league.

“A fit Danny Brough would get into any team but father time catches up with everyone and your body tells you when it is time,” Kear said. “Danny has listened. Hopefully he can enjoy an illustrious retirement and reflect on what he has achieved.”