Jones has played 18 times this season, scoring two tries

Former Golden Boot winner Stacey Jones is finally set to retire at the end of the season after rejecting a new contract with the New Zealand Warriors.

The 33-year-old was lured out of retirement for the 2009 season by the Warriors after a year out of the game.

"It was a big decision to come back this season and I'm really glad I did it," said Jones, who previously retired in 2007 while with Catalans Dragons.

"It's the right time for me to move on and let other players come through."

Jones, regarded as one of the legends of the modern era after a superb career at club and international level, was offered a 12-month contract extension by the Warriors.

The half-back initially retired from the game in September 2007 after an injury-affected two-season spell in Super League with the Dragons, during which he helped the club reach the 2007 Challenge Cup final.

Stacey has given us exactly what we wanted from him this year and I have no doubt he could have gone on another season if he wanted to and help our side grow Warriors coach Ivan Cleary

Returning to the Warriors - where he made his name after making his debut in 1995 - as a kicking coach, Jones was tempted back as a player for the current NRL season.

The Warriors have endured a disappointing campaign, lying 14th in the table

"From the start I just wanted to do whatever I could to help and to do the best I could," said Jones.

"While it has been a disappointing season for us in terms of results, I've really enjoyed having another chance to play in the NRL.

"There's no doubt we've got some exciting prospects in the halves and I certainly think the future is bright."

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said Jones - nicknamed "The Little General" due to his small stature but authoritative style - had provided everything expected of him during the season.

"Stacey has given us exactly what we wanted from him this year and I have no doubt he could have gone on another season if he wanted to and help our side grow," said Cleary.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Jones' retirement

"As a club we're just grateful that he had another shot. I can understand his decision not to continue playing but we definitely want to keep him involved here in whatever way we can."

In total, Jones has made 256 appearances for the Warriors, scoring a club record 77 tries and kicking 14 field goals to amass a club record points total of 670.

He made 39 appearances for the Dragons, scoring 133 points in the process.

He also has 48 international caps to his name, representing his country in two World Cups and three Tri-Nations series, scoring 170 points in total.

In 2002 he was awarded the Golden Boot as the world's best rugby league player of that year.

He retired from the international game in 2004 before returning in October 2005 for the Tri-Nations of that year.

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