Dan Sarginson shares heartfelt message after calling time on his career

Dan Sarginson has shared a heartfelt retirement message following his decision to hang up the boots with immediate effect, aged 29.

The two-time Super League Grand Final winner has not made an appearance in 2023 for Salford.

Sarginson has been out of action this year due to illness, and previously told the Mirror that he is quitting the sport to pursue a new career away from the field.

The outside-back made his debut back in 2011 for Harlequins, and made his big career break in 2014, joining Wigan. That stint also saw him earn his first international call up with England, earning three caps.

He appeared in two Grand Finals with the Warriors in 2014 and 2016, winning the former against Warrington.

The Australian-born player made the move to the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans in 2017, but would make his Wigan return the following season.

He played in the Super League 2018 Grand Final victory over Warrington.

Sarginson then went on to join Salford in 2020, going on to make 28 appearances.

Announcing his decision on social media, Sarginson admits he wants a new career in ‘helping people’ in any capacity he can.

Dan Sarginson shares heartfelt message on social media

He posted on social media: “I started playing rugby reluctantly when I was four years old. Too young to understand direction and rules, memories of storming off because I couldn’t stop scoring for the other team.

“After playing rugby union all throughout my childhood, an amazing man from Cumbria called Callum Irving came to our secondary school and taught us southerners how to play this strange game and the rest was history.

“Moving away from home and debuting at 17 years old for Harlequins, the game then became my life for the 12 years that followed.

“The game and people involved have taught me endless life lessons that I’m forever grateful for and will take forward with me into whatever the future holds. The most valuable being not to run at Tommy Leuluai.

“Since losing my little brother in 2018 my perception around life changed dramatically. While my little brother was alive he was unknowingly teaching me everything about life. How to forgive, love unconditionally and live freely beyond the confines of societal norms. I continue to learn from the beauty he blessed the world with during his time here.

“I am going to move in the direction of helping people” – Dan Sarginson

“Being so Ill equipped to help my little brother during his battle with severe mental health, after he passed I decided to work through my own suffering and struggles diving deep into areas I never thought I was strong enough to go. Having done this with help from many amazing people, I now deeply understand none of us can walk this life alone, we need each-other.

“Countless injuries and concussions have definitely played a part also in my decision to retire, alongside a slight decrease in motivation to run into 18 stone blokes.

“I am going to move in the direction of helping people, in whatever capacity that may be. I feel this is where life is pulling me and so I shall resist no longer.

“Without my mum I would never have got to where I did, not only existentially but through sheer hours she invested into getting me to training and making sure I was fed constantly, I am forever grateful.

“Nothing but love.”

READ MORE: Kurt Haggerty returns to his community club Pilkington Recs