Chairman Eamonn McManus said: "Scully has been a colossus of the game both at club and national level.

"We are blessed to have had a player and person of such high calibre at the club over the past decade – someone who has been instrumental to our success, image and reputation.

"That said, I am confident you have not seen the last of Scully at St Helens because he is too high quality a person and too rare a commodity to be lost to the club."

Sculthorpe, who joined Saints from Warrington Wolves in a record £370,000 deal in 1997, said: "One thing is for sure - you have not seen the last of me. I seriously couldn't pull on another shirt other than the Red Vee and face the Saints."

The 30-year-old former double Man of Steel, who made 261 appearances for the club and scored 113 tries, landed 392 goals and 10 field goals, said: "The last three years have been horrendous for me in terms of injuries and quite simply I wanted to finish at the top. I have had a great career and I have no qualms about retiring.

"I have a young family and I want to look after my body so I can look after them."

The ex-Great Britain and club skipper added: "I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me during my career and the fans for their unwavering support."

Scully's biggest disappointment as a player was unquestionably his second-minute departure from this year's Carnegie Challenge Cup Final after suffering a dislocated shoulder but he can still reflect on a career in which he has achieved so many milestones.

He said: "The greatest highlight was winning the Challenge Cup Final against Wigan Warriors at the Millennium Stadium in 2004. "The Grand Final wins were special but beating the auld enemy in Cardiff following a great performance stands out for both myself and my brother, Danny, who was in the Wigan side that day.

"The World Club Championship wins in 2001 and 2007 were also special. The first one, when we defeated Brisbane Broncos 20-18, was superb as they were the hottest team in the world at the time.

"The second – an 18-14 victory over the same opposition – was also good because a lot of people doubted whether I could perform after a long spell out injured but that 80 minutes proved to everyone that I could always play. "

Club chief executive Tony Colquitt added: " I first got to know Paul when I worked at Gillette and the fact the company chose Paul as one of their sports ambassadors demonstrates the high regard and profile he has earned nationally. "It was a tremendous boost for the profile of the game and its success was largely due to Paul's high level of professionalism both on and off the field.

"He has been a trendsetter both on and off the pitch and no doubt he will be the same in whatever direction his future careers takes him."