All Black legend packs his boots away ... finally

BREAKING NEWS: One of the greatest players of all time has retired - after nearly two decades on the professional circuit.

Daniel Carter, just a few weeks short of turning 39, has announced his retirement from all rugby.

Carter made the announcement on his social media channels.

"I officially retire from professional rugby today," Carter said on Saturday.

"A sport I've played 32 years which has helped shape me into the person I am today.

"I can't thank everyone who has played a part in my journey enough, particularly you, the fans.

"Rugby will always be a part of my life. Thank you."

The player most pundits believe is the greatest No.10 ever to have played the game - after winning 112 test caps for the All Blacks in which time he became the most prolific points scorer in the history of the game - said his body could push on for another few years, but his mind is not in the game anymore.

Having won Super Rugby titles, Rugby Championships, World Cups, the French Top 14, European Cup and Japanese Top League, Carter felt he'd won everything he could in the game and had nothing left to prove.

"I've thought about this on so many occasions, but today [Saturday] is the day and I am very grateful that I can do it on my terms," he said in an Instagram post.

"I'm officially retiring from professional rugby.

"A sport I've played for 32 years which has helped shape me into the person I am today."

He went on to thank the multitude of people who played a role in his life - on and off the field.

"I'm excited about my next chapter in life and what that will look like.

"For now, I'm sad to walk away from playing but the timing is right.

"Rugby will always be a part of my life. Thank you."

As one of the best tacticians the game has known and a supremely good technical kicker, he has had offers to move into coaching, but says that is not for him.

Not full-time at least.

"Rugby is what I know and love and I feel like I have a lot of knowledge that I would like to share," Carter told the NZ Herald.

"But my mentality is all about winning and if I got into coaching I would be all in and I would commit to that. I would work around the clock and I know how hard coaches work. They lose their weekends. They are in before the players, leave after them and work on the days the players are recovering.

"My reasons for retiring are to spend more time with the family. I would love to be involved in some way. Exactly what it is yet I am not sure. But I can't commit. I like a bit of flexibility and I am working on a few projects that I am passionate about both overseas and in New Zealand."

• Additional reporting by the NZ Herald