Shaun Johnson has called time on his glittering career with the New Zealand Warriors halfback confirming he will hang up the boots at the end of the season.

“This is a decision that I’ve sat with for a while now and one I’m probably still coming to terms with,” the emotional 33-year-old said as he informed his teammates of his decision.

“It’s obviously still very raw but I’m so grateful to the club and to you boys who I get to come into work with every day with a smile on my face. I have never taken any of it for granted.

“The job is not over. So, let’s rip in and get back to doing what we do but I just wanted to let you all know first that at the end of the season, that will be me.”

Shaun Johnson retirement: New Zealand Warriors halfback calls time on his NRL career

Johnson debuted for the Warriors in 2011 and almost immediately established himself as a leading light in New Zealand rugby league with his lightning quick footwork earing him a legion of fans.

He guided the Warriors to the 2011 grand final during his debut season, before being crowned as the best player in the world in 2014 as he became the heir apparent to Stacey Jones.

During his first eight-year spell at the franchise, Johnson made 162 appearances and clocked 63 tries and 124 assists while becoming the face of the club.

However, he surprisingly split from the Warriors and joined Cronulla during a brief and injury-plagued spell in the Shire.

“I didn’t think I needed to leave, or I should leave, or I wanted to leave, but I’ve always been one to make the most out of any situation you’re in, or try to find the silver lining,” Johnson stated after his exit.

“It took a couple of months to realise I had a lot of growth to do – I’d been in the Warriors system since I was a kid and I didn’t know any other way.”

Johnson made a triumphant return to where it all began in 2022 when he re-joined the club before enjoying a stellar campaign in the twilight of his career which almost landed him the Dally M Medal last season.

He led the count only to be pipped by Kalyn Ponga in the very last round, with the disappointment compounded by the Warriors exiting out of the finals under Andrew Webster during a preliminary final against Brisbane.

Injuries have once again troubled the No.7 though in what has turned out to be his 14^th and final year in the NRL, as he has managed just 14 appearances in 2024.

Johnson reportedly knocked back interest from the Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers earlier in the year, eventually settling on his decision to retire as he came off-contract at the Warriors.

Johnson has played 266 games to date, notching 1464 points over the years, with 1201 of those coming in the Warriors jersey to leave him as the club’s record points scorer.

The playmaker also amassed 32 Test matches for his country.