Cove Rangers defender Grant Campbell has been forced to retire at the age of 29 due to a long-standing knee injury.
Campbell, who sat out the whole of last season due to a cruciate ligament injury that required two operations, attempted a comeback towards the end of last season but has continued to experience problems with the knee.
He had joined Highland League side Huntly last month on loan and was made club captain. The former Wick Academy man had hoped to play in League Two with Cove this season upon their promotion.
John Sheran, the club’s director of football who signed Campbell when he was manager, paid tribute to his service to the club.
He said: “Everyone at the club is sad and disappointed that Grant has been forced to quit the game prematurely.
“I know how desperate he was to play for Cove Rangers in the SPFL, so it will have been a very difficult decision for him to make. But we respect that Grant was at the stage where he had to put his family and future well being first.
“I want to thank him for being a fantastic player for Cove Rangers. He was a Highland League title winner with Cove and our chances of gaining promotion a year earlier would have been greater had Grant not suffered the injury that ultimately ended his career.
“We wish him the very best for the future and Grant will always be made welcome at Balmoral Stadium.”