Dual Australian international Wendell Sailor on Thursday announced his retirement after a 16-year playing career in rugby league and rugby union.

The 35-year-old played 11 seasons in top flight rugby league and five in rugby union.

Sailor has often attracted public attention during his career, none more so than in 2006 after he was found to have used cocaine before a match.

This put an end to his union career as he received a two-year suspension from all forms of professional sport.

Sailor, who played a total of 222 first grade matches with the Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra, switched to union in 2001 where he went on to play 37 internationals for the Wallabies.

He also played 19 rugby league Tests for the Kangaroos, was named Player of the Tournament' at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup and played 17 State of Origin games for Queensland.

The charismatic winger returned to the National Rugby League last year with St George Illawarra after completing his ban.

Sailor, one of the game's great entertainers, played 33 matches for the Dragons in his last spell, scoring 17 of his 127 career tries over the last two seasons.

"Even though this is a major decision in anyone's life, it is not one that I had to think too much about," Sailor told a press conference.

"I came back to rugby league and achieved what I wanted and needed to, with a fantastic club in the Dragons.

"I have had my time and now I am ready to step aside and let the great young players here have their turn."