Concerns about his long-term health forced popular Geelong forward Max Rooke to end his AFL career.

The two-time premiership player announced on Wednesday he would retire, citing the knee tendinitis that restricted him to only one senior game this season.

Rooke went to the United States earlier this year for treatment on the injury and tried in vain to return for the finals, but is now retiring on medical advice.

"I'm shattered that I've been forced into retirement due to this knee injury, but I have to think of my long-term well-being," Rooke said in a club statement.

Rooke, 28, made his name as a fearless half-forward who was renowned for his tackling and attack on the ball.

He kicked the first and last goals of last year's epic grand final win over St Kilda and also played in Geelong's drought-breaking 2007 premiership.

Rooke famously also went to Germany in 2007 for successful treatment on a serious hamstring injury.

His premature retirement is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Cats since last month's season-ending loss to Collingwood in their preliminary final.

But the Cats have offered veterans Darren Milburn and David Wojcinski one-year contracts.

Cats football manager Neil Balme paid tribute to Rooke.

"It is a sad day for Geelong to lose someone of the calibre of Max Rooke," Balme said.

"Naturally, we would have hoped that he would return to the field with his fearless and inspiring style of play but unfortunately, due to the injury, this cannot happen."

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