SILKY Collingwood veteran Daniel Wells has retired effective immediately. 

Wells played 258 matches spanning a 17-year career after being selected by North Melbourne with pick No.2 in the 2002 National Draft.

The midfielder crossed to Collingwood at the end of 2016, adding 15 games in an injury-plagued three seasons, including just one game this year. 

Wells has been sidelined with a left knee injury for most of this year, having damaged both the posterior and medial ligaments, but chose to avoid surgery in the hope of playing again.

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"I thank Collingwood, I thank North Melbourne and I thank the game," Wells said.

"All of them have given me so much. The joy of playing, the great camaraderie, support in the tough times and care for me and my family.

"I couldn't have asked for much more. I will miss football and I will always love it."

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I announced today in front of my team mates wife and daughter my retirement from the AFL. What an incredible journey!! So many ups and so many downs. So many victories and so many defeats. These moments I believe have helped shape me into the person I am today. I feel so blessed to have played for two amazing clubs. @nmfcofficial I am forever grateful for all you did for me at the beginning and throughout my career and to the @collingwood_fc for all they have done for me and my family these passed 3 years. Thank you so much for being a big part of my journey. Thanks to all my family and friends for all your love and support along the way and most importantly my wife Ria and daughter Laudate who have been my biggest support and pillars of strength through it all.

A post shared by DANIEL WELLS (@daniel_wells3) on

He battled soft-tissue injuries in the latter part of his career, but was a classy runner in his prime, winning two best and fairest awards at North Melbourne (2011 and 2013, tying with Andrew Swallow and Scott Thompson respectively). 

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