Former Huddersfield and Warrington fullback Brett Hodgson has confirmed his retirement as a player but is to stay in Super League after being appointed as a coaching consultant with Widnes.

The 35-year-old Australian, who was Super League’s Man of Steel in 2009, was released by Warrington with a year left on his contract at the end of last season in order to pursue other options.

Hodgson, a former Wests Tigers and Parramatta player who made six appearances for New South Wales before going to England five years ago, will work with the outside backs and halves across all levels at the Vikings.

Widnes head coach Denis Betts said: “Brett has got 350 first-grade games under his belt both over here and in the NRL. He’s been there and done it at the very top and to have someone of his calibre here is a real coup for the club.

“He was a quality player and is a great person to have around our environment where he can pass that experience and knowledge on to our younger players.”

Hodgson, who captained the Exiles against England last June, said: “I got my coaching badges quite a while ago in Australia and every off season I have gone back home to work with some pretty good coaches in a bid to improve me as a coach for when that time comes, which is obviously now.”