Cronulla Sharks winger Beau Ryan has retired from rugby league as a result of persistent injury issues.

Ryan, 29, had off-season surgery on a neck injury and was advised by the Sharks to take a break from football in May after a few sub-par performances, the latest in round 10 against former club Wests Tigers – only his third game in 2014.

He debuted for the the Tigers back in 2007 and has played 126 games but said he no longer felt comfortable putting his body on the line in a game.

Ryan finishes his career with 53 four-pointers, the last of which was the controversial seventh-tackle try in the first week of the finals against the North Queensland Cowboys last year.

A regular on the NRL Footy Show since 2009, Ryan regularly copped criticism for misguided focus after some poor games.

He announced his retirement on the show on Thursday night saying he wanted to continue his career in television.