CHARLTON defender Gary Rowett has been forced to retire from the game due to a knee injury.

The 30-year-old joined the club from Leicester City for £3.5m in 2002, but made just 13 appearances for the Addicks.

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley said: "I'm absolutely gutted by the news Gary has had to retire.

"He was a player of enormous ability on and off the field, and is someone we are going to miss."

Rowett becomes the second Addicks player to retire this summer after defender Richard Rufus was forced to hang up his boots last month.