Dual premiership Sydney defender Lewis Roberts-Thompson has announced his immediate retirement from the AFL.

Roberts-Thompson, 30, has battled a number of injuries over the past two seasons and told teammates on Thursday morning he was hanging up his boots after 179 games for the Swans.

He has managed only five senior matches this season, the last against Melbourne back in round six at the MCG.

Roberts-Thompson won premierships with the club in 2005 and 2012 and also featured in the Swans’ 2006 Grand Final loss to West Coast.

Swans coach John Longmire praised Roberts-Thompson for being an outstanding competitor over a long period since making his AFL debut in 2003.

“He has chased, tackled and put his body on the line countless times throughout his career,” Longmire said in a club statement.

“One of his great assets has been his ability and willingness to adapt to any role he has been given.

“There is not a position on the ground that Lewie hasn’t played in over the course of his career.

“There is probably no greater compliment a player can be paid than being labelled a ‘big game player’, but that is exactly what Lewie was.

“His ability to stand up in both the 2005 and 2012 grand finals was pivotal to the outcome of those games.”