Buhrer retires: Newcastle forward hangs up boots

Newcastle utility Jamie Buhrer has called time on rugby league after a decade-long career in the NRL.

The 29-year-old forward wasn't offered a new deal by the Knights for 2020 after three seasons at the club.

Buhrer ruled out a move to the English Super League citing family reasons and a lack of desire to play on.  

"I just felt I had got a lot out of the game," Buhrer told AAP.

"There was the chance there would be a possibility [of a team for next year] if I waited a bit longer but the chance of not playing in the NRL didn't bother me.

"And I think I realised then that as much as I still love the game, I didn't have the same desire I had previously."

A premiership-winner with the Sea Eagles, Buhrer represented NSW in 2012 before leaving the Northern Beaches after 128 games across seven seasons.

He described the grand final win over the Warriors in 2011 as "special" because he played alongside many of his best mates "with a team I supported alongside people I admired, it's pretty cool."

Buhrer, who made his NRL debut for Manly in 2010, racked up 173 appearances in the Telstra Premiership across his 10-year career.