Sydney Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello will retire at the end of the 2014 NRL season.

The former NSW and Australian fullback on Monday announced he would bring his distinguished 15-year career to an end at the conclusion of the year.

Minichiello is seven games away from joining Luke Ricketson as the most-capped Sydney Roosters player on 301 NRL games.

Minichiello has won two premierships with the Roosters – in 2002 and captaining them to the title last year – and will be hoping to add to that this season.

He made 11 appearances for NSW in State of Origin from 2003-11 and represented Australia 18 times.

He was named the Dally M fullback of the year in 2004 and was honoured with the Golden Boot Award for the best international player the following year.

He was named Roosters club captain in 2013, taking over from Braith Anasta.

Minichiello also captained Italy at the 2013 World Cup.

He has played 294 games for the Roosters and will become the club’s most capped player, surpassing Luke Ricketson (301 games) if he stays fit and the team makes this year’s grand final.

He said it meant a lot that he would retire a one-club player.

“I wouldn’t be the person that I am without the Roosters and rugby league,” he said.

“I’ve had 15 very special years playing here. There’s been so many highlight, so many memories – winning two premierships, representing my state and my country, a host of awards, everything I could have dreamed of.”

He nominated the club’s 2013 premiership win as his proudest moment. He thanked his wife Terry, daughter Azura, Roosters chairman Nick Politis, the club’s board of directors, coach Trent Robinson and his teammates.

He made a particular mention of a league legend that scouted him as a teenager in 1996 and invited him to trial with the club.

“I would like to make special mention of the legendary Arthur Beetson who recruited me to this great club,” Minichiello said.

He said he would take up a corporate role with the Roosters and continue to work with his business Minifit.