Dragons star Mark Gasnier has today announced his retirement.

It has come as somewhat of a shock to rugby league fans, he still had three years left on his contract.

But the St George Illawarra centre admitted he had made his decision at the start of the year, but had been waiting for the right time to announce it.

Gasnier played for the Blues in the Origin Series just last week, but had not told Ricky Stuart of his decision.

He said he did not feel he had the drive to play rugby league in 2012.