All Black flank Liam Squire has announced his retirement from rugby due to the effects of a recurring knee injury.

The 30-year-old Squire, who played for the Highlanders and Chiefs in Super Rugby and the Red Hurricanes in Japan, announced on Tuesday that he will be hanging up his boots following a 10-year professional career.

Squire, who earned 23 Test caps between 2016 and 2019, has been sidelined with the injury for months after only appearing for the Highlanders in first two rounds of Super Rugby Aotearoa before undergoing surgery.

“After 6-7 months full rest to see if it will heal and speaking to my surgeon and medical team I have been advised for my best long term interest to retire from all rugby immediately,” Squire said in a social media statement.

“As disappointing and frustrating as This [sic] is, my long term wellbeing has to come first.

“I am excited for the next chapter in my life and stepping away from rugby,” Squire added.