YOUNG Port Adelaide ruckman Hugh Minson has announced his immediate retirement from all levels of football because of degenerative knee injuries.

Minson, 20, received medical advice this week which suggested he give up all forms of contact sport because of the state of his knee.

"My knee has not held up to the rigors of being on an AFL list and has degenerated rapidly," Minson said.

"I have seen specialists in Adelaide and Melbourne and all the medical professionals are telling me to stop playing football to prevent further serious damage to the joint.

"I'm devastated. I didn't plan my career to pan out like this and it's made harder because I'm not on crutches and my leg's not in plaster but (regardless of whether) I have surgery or not I'm told it will never stand up to AFL life.

"I love the club, I've made a lot of friendships and I'll always be thankful for the experiences over the last two-and-half years at the Port Adelaide Football Club.

"But unfortunately I won't be able to pursue my dream of playing AFL. My dad taught me to deal with the cards you get dealt in life and that's what I'll be doing."

Minson, who is the brother of Western Bulldogs big man Will, was drafted by the Power as a long-term ruck prospect in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft.

He was yet to make his AFL debut, but pulled on the Power guernsey for the first time in the NAB Challenge game against the Swans this year.

Football operations manager Peter Rohde said it was disappointing to lose a person of Minson's calibre.

"We're disappointed for Hugh because he's an outstanding young man," Rohde said.

"He has worked really hard with Matty Primus, Brendon Lade, Dean Brogan and the entire coaching group to develop as a ruckman and was very professional in his approach to football.

"The decision he's made is out of absolute necessity to give himself the best chance of being able to live an active life in the future so we certainly wish him well."

Minson will be placed on the long-term injury list for the rest of the season, which means the Power have the option of upgrading one of their four rookie players – Nick Salter, Ryan Willits, Gavin Grose and Daniel Boyle – in his place.