Rovers can confirm that Lee Tomlin has taken the decision to retire from professional football and his contract has been terminated by mutual consent.
The 33-year-old last week received treatment for an injury complaint and, after little improvement to his condition, informed the club that he could not continue his playing career.
“In the last month, just waking up and taking the amount of painkillers I’ve had to take has got too much,” he said. “I want to play football for as long as I possibly can but it’s just too much on my body every day and it’s grinding me down.
“You just have to be honest with yourself. I have days when I can’t pick my daughter up for more than two minutes because of my hip or my back. It’s not a way of living and not a way I want to live.
“If it was with any other club in the summer other than Doncaster, I’d have probably just called it a day then. There was a bond that I felt at the club and it was the reason I did want to sign. It meant a lot to me.
“I’m going to miss it.”
Manager Gary McSheffrey said: “Lee told me he felt it was time for him to call it a day and hang his boots up because he is constantly playing through pain and has been for the last few years.
“He wants to live a lifestyle after football where he can do stuff with his family and his kids, and just live a normal lifestyle.
“The enjoyment here was getting him through it but the realisation of it is that he feels he is in too much pain.
“Although it’s really disappointing, we have to respect him as a man, a person, a dad, and listen to what he wants. His body is telling him that needs to retire.
“We’ve accepted that and we’ll support him in whatever he needs. We wish him all the best for his future.”
Tomlin joined Rovers in the summer after a successful trial. He made ten appearances for the club, scoring once.
All at Rovers thank Lee for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours.