Departing Newcastle skipper Danny Buderus promised to return to the NRL club in the future after an emotional farewell at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday night.

Buderus walked a lap of honour before the club's last home match of 2008 against Melbourne after his 12th and final season at the Knights was cut short by a biceps injury.

The former Australian and NSW hooker will finish his playing career in the UK Super League after signing a two-year deal with the Leeds Rhinos, but on Saturday night promised the parochial Newcastle crowd he would be back.

"I had my operation on Thursday so I've got my head around not playing tonight," Buderus said.

"I'll be heading over to Leeds soon ... but I'll be back here some day looking to give a little bit back to the club."

The 30-year-old was denied the chance to end his NRL career on the field after injuring his biceps in the closing stages of last week's victory over North Queensland.

It is the second year in a row Newcastle have farewelled one of their champions in such a manner after halfback Andrew Johns' career was suddenly ended by injury in early 2007.

Buderus was welcomed out to the field by the Knights old boys, before former Newcastle skipper Paul Harragon told the crowd: "You've left an amazing football legacy in this organisation ... the Buderus name will always be known to the people of Newcastle."

Perhaps lifted by the occasion, the Knights scored in the opening minute against the premiership favourites, with Matt Hilder - coincidentally Buderus' replacement in the team - crossing over.

Hilder was wearing No.14 on Saturday night, with the club retiring the No.9 jersey for the remainder of the season.

Buderus played 222 first grade games for the Knights, winning the NRL premiership with Newcastle in 2001 while playing 24 Tests for Australia and 20 State of Origin matches for NSW.

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