Whitehaven born Salford Red Devils captain Lee Mossop has been forced to retire on medical orders.

The Super League club has lost its skipper as ongoing shoulder problems, which have seen him undergo eleven reconstruction surgeries, have become too much to continue competing.

Announcing the Cumbrian's retirement, Salford attributed their change in fortunes to his signing in 2017.

A spokesperson for the club said: "Walking into the AJ Bell Stadium off the back of the 2016 campaign that almost saw Salford relegated to the Betfred Championship, Mossop played a pivotal role in changing the fortunes at the club with the recent success of the last two years."

Speaking to the club website, he commented on the decision to hang up his boots.

"It’s with great sadness that today I have to announce my retirement from rugby league. It’s been no secret that I have struggled with shoulder issues the majority of my career but after seeing the surgeon last week, he has told me there are no more surgeries he can offer to help prolong my career anymore and instead, it will be one final operation to give me a better quality of life with my wife and young children.

Mossop said: "I’d like to thank firstly my family and friends who have supported me through my career, the clubs and supporters I have represented and the players who I have shared a field with."