Former Gillingham player-of-the-year Simon King has retired from football due to injury.

King, 30, never recovered from an ankle injury picked up while playing for the Gills as they won promotion in 2009.

He tweeted: “I have (retired) due to injuries to both ankles. Started a personal training course today (Monday).”

King had played throughout the 2008/09 promotion season with heavy strapping but was a key player as the Gills clinched promotion at Wembley, with a play-off win over Shrewsbury.

But his ankle problems came to a head during the summer, as he broke down during a pre-season game at Bromley.

King had been named player-of-the-year for his efforts during the previous season but injury ruled him out for entire 2009/10 season. That campaign ended with the Gills returning from where they came, after relegation from League 1.

King made a tentative return for the Gills on February 2011 - over a year and half since his last competitive game.

He made just four appearances in the 2010/11 season and with continuing problems was unable to complete a full 90 minutes.

A successful spell on loan with Plymouth at the start of the following season led to his return in Gillingham’s colours.

He made nine more appearances for the club at the back end of the season but was then released after his contract expired.

Last season he played for Scottish Premier League side Inverness but again was restricted to just five appearances, forcing him to finally call time on a career that had promised so much.

When he signed for the Gills from Barnet, in the summer of 2007, he commanded a transfer fee of £200,000

Before his injury he was tipped for bigger things but is now concentrating on a career outside the game. He made 112 appearances for the Gills.