Marshawn Lynch was placed on the formal retirement list by the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, marking the official end of his all-star National Football League career.

Lynch, a nine-year veteran, previously announced his intentions to retire after battling injuries last season.

The soft-spoken American hinted at his pending retirement in February when he tweeted a picture of his green gridiron shoes hanging from a high wire.

Lynch, 30, joined the Seahawks after a 2010 trade with the Buffalo Bills. He started 77 of 82 games for Seattle and ranks fourth on the franchise list in rushing yards (6,347) and rushing attempts (1,457), second in rushing touchdowns (57) and third in touchdowns (65).

With the Bills and Seahawks, he racked up 74 touchdowns and totalled 9,112 rushing yards on 2,144 carries.

Seattle will keep Lynch's NFL rights if he changes his mind about retirement.

The Seahawks appear to be moving forward without him as they selected three running backs in last week's entry draft.

Source :AFP