Sale Sharks have confirmed that David Seymour has hung up his boots in order to concentrate on his business career development.
The 33-year-old openside flanker joined the Sharks in 2009 from Saracens and went on to make almost 200 appearances for the club, establishing himself as one of the Premiership's most consistent performers.
His superb form saw Seymour appointed club captain in the summer of 2012 and over the course of his stellar career with the Sharks, his work-rate, aggression and commitment to the cause made him a huge club favourite.
In total, Seymour made 196 appearances for the Sharks, scoring 19 tries and well as his key contributions on the field, he also became a key mentor off it, offering valuable advice and guidance to Sale's younger players.
A former England U21 international, Seymour also won a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens tournament in Melbourne as part of England's squad.
Now his focus and concentration will be trained on developing his coffee business, Couch Grind Coffee, which he established last year.
To mark Seymour's superb service, he has been appointed as an official Sale Sharks club ambassador.
Sale Sharks' director of rugby Steve Diamond, who ironically handed Seymour his big break in senior rugby when he was in charge at Saracens back in 2004, paid handsome tribute to his contribution to the club.
"David has been an absolutely magnificent servant for the club," said Diamond.
"Over the course of his nine years here, David has led by example, putting his body on the line week in, week out and he has been an absolute credit to the club.
"We are delighted that David will retain his close links with the club by becoming an official ambassador and everyone here at Sale Sharks wishes him all the best with his future career."
Reflecting on his decision to call time on his Sharks career, Seymour said: "After nine seasons I have decided it is time to step away from the playing field at Sale Sharks.
"I consider myself unbelievably fortunate to have been able to do a job I love for the last 14 years.
"To have started, and ended, my career working for Steve Diamond must be some kind of sadistic record, the first five of those at Saracens before moving north in 2009!
"Highlights include playing for England 7s around the world, winning Hong Kong and getting a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2006.
"It has also been a real privilege to captain Sale Sharks on so many occasions throughout my career with the club. I have been lucky to play alongside some incredible players over the years, many of whom remain good friends.
"Whilst not going training every day seems both attractive and daunting in equal measures, the time seems right to step aside, and let someone else set the pace in the fitness tests!
"I am really pleased to be staying involved with Sale through my Ambassadorial role and I am also excited to have the opportunity to spend some time on my other passion, my coffee business – Couch Grind Coffee – which I set up last year.
"I'd like to thank Nigel Wray and everyone at Saracens for giving a lad from Chinor a shot and to the fans who embraced the top-knot hair style!
"A huge thank you to the Sharks coaches and owners who have been really supportive as I enter this new chapter and to the fans who have always been amazing to me.
"Finally I'd like to thank my friends and family for coming to watch, my brothers for the all the stick if I missed a tackle or got smashed, and my parents for their constant support."
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