Former Crows defender Nathan Bock has told the Gold Coast Suns he is retiring, effective immediately.

Bock, a Crows club champion in 2008 when he was also named an All Australian, has struggled to return to the game since he fractured his leg early in the 2012 season.

The 31-year-old last played at AFL level in round 20 of the 2013 season before needing further surgery to remove a rod initially inserted to stabilise his leg.

Bock admitted it was a difficult and disappointing end his AFL career.

“It has been a long road back to play after fracturing my leg, and despite my best endeavours and those of the medical and high performance staff, unfortunately the time has come to end my football career,” he said.

“I have loved playing footy over the last 11 years with both the Adelaide and Gold Coast football clubs.

“I feel very fortunate to have played for two exceptional football clubs; while the decision to leave Adelaide was a tough one, I am extremely pleased that I have played a role in establishing the Gold Coast SUNS, a club I strongly believe will go on to bigger and better things in the years to come.”

Prior to signing with the GC SUNS as an uncontracted player at the end of the 2010 season, Bock played 113 games for the Adelaide Crows after being selected in the 2002 Rookie Draft from SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens.

Bock played 27 games with the GC SUNS.