Collingwood veteran Daniel Wells has retired from AFL football, effective immediately.

The Magpies confirmed Wells’ retirement on Monday night, bringing to an end a 258-game AFL career.

“I thank Collingwood, I thank North Melbourne and I thank the game,” Wells said in a statement.

“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.”

Wells played 243 games and kicked 150 goals for North Melbourne between 2003 and 2016 after he was drafted at Pick 2 in the 2002 AFL Draft.

A classy midfielder, he won the Syd Barker Medal as the Kangaroos’ best and fairest winner in 2011 and 2013.

At the end of 2016, Wells left North Melbourne and joined Collingwood as an unrestricted free agent on a three-year deal.

Wells’ time at Collingwood was hampered by injuries and fitness issues, and he was limited to just 15 games across three years, including just one game in 2019.

Wells battled calf issues in 2017, then suffered a lisfranc injury in June 2018.

In his return from that injury, in Round 10 this year, Wells booted three goals against Sydney before suffering a knee injury.

Wells returned from injury via the VFL in August, but played just one game and did not appear at AFL level again.

The Magpies confirmed Wells would cease training immediately but remain involved with the club’s AFL playing group throughout their finals campaign.