Two serious knee injuries have finally caught up with Ben Ikin, with the Brisbane and Queensland five-eighth announcing he will retire at the end of the season.

The 26-year-old, who earlier this month helped the Maroons to victory in Origin III, stunned the rugby league community when he revealed 2003 would be his last season in the NRL.

Teammates Andrew Gee and Phil Lee also announced they would hang up the boots at the end of the year, but Ikin's decision was the major shock.

"I can't train like I used too," Ikin said.

"Some days I can't even get out on the paddock.

"I've lost a hell of a lot of speed and agility and I'm not the player I used to be.

"When I'm out there I want to be the best person I can for the side and I just don't feel I can be that any more."

Ikin, the youngest player to appear for Queensland in State of Origin, joined the Broncos in 2000 after stints at the Gold Coast and North Sydney.

But he's managed only 40 appearances in his four seasons after knee injuries ruined 2001 and 2002.

"I told Wayne (Bennett) probably the only time I had second thoughts about it (retiring) was after the second Origin because of the way we lost that game and because of the way we played," Ikin said.

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