Lee Tomlin says he leaves Rovers with a heavy heart after making the decision to retire from football.
The 33-year-old is hanging up his boots following more than 550 career appearances, which included 10 for Rovers since joining the club in the summer.
He said: "A lot has happened for me with Rovers in such a short space of time. The first game of the season wasn’t the best personally but I think we grew from there.
“I’ve said before that if it was any other club in League One or Two I would have probably just called it a day in the summer, and I’m not just saying that because I felt a genuine bond at the club.
“I didn’t think I would get emotional but I’m going to miss it, the buzz of the dressing room and the lads I’m leaving behind I’m really gutted about.
“It will be hard speaking to them and even harder seeing them face to face, I really hope they can go and get promotion this season.”
Aches and pains after games have played a big part in Tomlin’s decision, with his retirement allowing him to spend more time at home with his young family.
He added: “I think in the past month waking up and the amount of pain killers I’ve had to take has become too much and for myself I needed to make a decision.
“Everyone who plays the game loves it every single day, but I’ve had to be honest with myself and my family that my time has come to retire.
“My family see what I’ve been going through everyday, when I get home and when I can’t move or pick my daughter up on days off.
“I’m an honest person and for me as soon as I thought about it I had to speak to James [Coppinger] and Gary [McSheffrey]. They’ve been through it as well so to speak to them was important and they’ve been great with me.
“I really hope the fans stick by the lads because they help so much, my message to them is to keep believing and hopefully the success will follow.”