PERSISTENT injury troubles have forced Essendon utility Hayden Skipworth into an early retirement after just one season at the club.

The 26-year-old announced the end of his 55-game career on Wednesday after he decided his body – which was troubled by hamstring and knee issues this year – would not handle another pre-season.

The former Crow, who suffered a serious patella tendon injury in 2007, missed four matches early in the season with a hamstring problem and battled against his knee later in the year.

He said the injuries had forced him into making the decision to hang up his boots after just six seasons in the elite league.
 
"Unfortunately my body is struggling to cope with the AFL workload and I wasn't able to play the sort of footy I wanted to play, especially in the second half of the year," he told the club's website.

Skipworth played 44 games for Adelaide across a five-year career at West Lakes before being delisted at the end of the 2006 season.

He then commenced a playing career in the VFL with the Bendigo Bombers for two years, winning the best and fairest in 2008, before receiving a lifeline from rookie coach Matthew Knights.

Knights, who coached Skipworth in 2007 at Bendigo, offered him a contract with the Essendon side in a bid to inject some experience into the midfield.
 
"I want to thank the Essendon Football Club and its supporters for embracing me after coming from a different club," Skipworth said.

"I have been made to feel welcome and, although it was my first year on the playing list, I have been at Windy Hill for three years and the club has been great.
 
"It's a great club and thanks to Matthew Knights and the recruitment people for giving me the opportunity.

"Even though it didn't last as long as I would have liked it was great to get back out there. I also want to thank my family and friends for all their support."

Skipworth says he is leaving Windy Hill at an "exciting time", with the talented young group promising supporters a good few years ahead.
 
The Bombers said they were disappointed to see Skipworth go after such an encouraging start to his second crack at an AFL career.

"Hayden had a good start to the year but, physically, he wasn't able to maintain it. He is a great club man and was very well liked and respected by the players and coaches," general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton told essendonfc.com.au.
 
"Hayden was employed by Essendon to live with our young players in the Samsung Player House last year and he lived with Tayte Pears this year and his mentoring has been invaluable.
 
"He played a big role in the development of guys like Tayte and Kyle Reimers by showing them the commitment and dedication required to be a professional footballer."

The Bombers will use four picks in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft after delisting John Williams, Rhys Magin, Tom German, Bryce Carroll and Kade Klemke, and farewelling Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas (retired), and Andrew Lovett and Jay Nash (traded).

They also secured the serviced of former Hawthorn forward Mark Williams last week in the trade period.