ST KILDA'S Aaron Hamill has confirmed his retirement, saying it was in the club's best interest for him to end his 190-game career.

St Kilda has reached a financial settlement with the forward, who did not manage a single senior game this year due to a chronic knee injury.

"The decision to retire has been one of the hardest to make in my football career," Hamill said. "However, I felt it was in the best interest of the club moving forward. This will now allow a younger player to step up and cement themselves in the St Kilda side."

Under the terms of his long-term contract — he signed a four-year extension in 2004 — Hamill was owed about $400,000 next year but some will be paid up front this year to ease the burden on their 2008 salary cap. Hamill was an aggressive forward who played above his 184 centimetres and, at his pre-injury peak in the early 2000s, was among the best defensive forwards in the game, valued for leadership as much as on-field output.

His decision to leave Carlton after the 2000 season was contentious, as the Saints, then in the throes of a recruiting drive, signed him on a four-year deal worth about $2 million.

Hamill, who captained the Saints in 2003 said: "I am grateful to the Carlton Football Club for providing me with the opportunity to play and develop as a footballer … I would also like to express my gratitude to Grant Thomas, whose efforts did not go unnoticed by the playing group during his six years as coach."

Drafted from ACT club Tuggeranong in 1994, he booted 239 goals in his 190 games — 92 were played for Carlton.

He is the fifth Saint to retire, along with Andrew Thompson, Fraser Gehrig, Brett Voss and Matthew Clarke. Justin Sweeney and Phillip Raymond have been delisted, while rookies Jayden Attard and Clinton Jones have been elevated.