The 32-year-old, who won Olympic gold at Athens 2004 as well as bronze at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games, made the decision to end his career on a high after being part of the team that defeated host nation The Netherlands 6-1 to win the Hockey World Cup in The Hague earlier this month.

"As much as I enjoy being part of the Kookaburras and feel privileged to have been part of such an elite programme, I know that physically and mentally I can no longer commit to the programme 100 per cent and it is time to step away," said De Young, who is one of only four men to play more than 300 games for Australia.

"I could not have asked for a better finish to my career than to win the World Cup so convincingly."

The move by De Young, who also leaves the sport as a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and four-time Champions Trophy winner, follows that made by teammate Robert Hammond.

Robert Hammond has also announced his retirement ©AFP/Getty Images


He announced his retirement last week.

Long-time coach Ric Charlesworth also announced he will step down before next month's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

He had originally said he would retire following the conclusion of Glasgow 2014 but changed his mind after the World Cup victory.

"I have thought about it a lot," Charlesworth said.

"The high point of my year was the World Cup.

"The team will be moving on and it's my personal decision - I don't want to be packing up and away for another three weeks."

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