After a highly decorated career, North Melbourne’s Adam Simpson has announced his retirement.

Joined by family, friends, staff and team-mates, the former club captain said he felt the time was right to bow out of the game.

Simpson will play his last match this Friday against Carlton and will sit equal second with North legend Wayne Schimmelbusch in games played at the club behind Glenn Archer (311) with 306.

After being selected by the Kangaroos with their first-round pick (14) in 1993 and debuting in 1995, Simpson didn’t have to wait long to taste the ultimate success. He played in North’s Grand Final win against Sydney in 1996 and has never looked back.

It took another two attempts before he would claim a second premiership. First was the 35 point loss to Adelaide in 1998 followed by a resounding victory against Carlton in 1999.

He received the Syd Barker Medal in 2002, the same year he was awarded all-Australian honors, and became captain in 2004. But after a five-year, 110 game run in charge, he handed over the reigns to Brent Harvey at the beginning of the 2009 season.

The 32-year-old will continue to work at the club until the end of the year and will pursue a career in coaching. Simpson has been studying in this area with the assistance of the AFLPA.

Simpson will be honoured with a special tribute dinner to be held in conjunction with the best and fairest event in October