Carlton defender Tom Williamson has called time on his AFL career after opting not to return to the club following his period of personal leave away from Princes Park.
Williamson had been granted indefinite leave by the Blues in early June of this year after the 23-year-old made it known to the club that he sought to place a priority on his mental wellbeing over that of his footballing duties.
While Carlton had stated within a previous statement that the North Ballarat Rebels product had been taking time to "focus on his wellbeing and ultimately address his personal issues", the official timeline was sadly altered on Saturday afternoon.
"The Carlton Football Club can confirm it has been having ongoing discussions with Tom Williamson since he undertook a leave of absence from the Club in early June," the club's latest statement read.
"As a result of these discussions, it has been mutually decided that Williamson will step away from AFL football for 2022 and depart the football club.
"The Club will continue to work with Williamson, the AFLPA and Williamson’s management to ensure he continues to receive the necessary support he needs moving forward."
Williamson first made his way to Royal Parade after being selected with the 61st pick of the 2016 National Draft.
The agile stopper pulled on the club's famous monogrammed guernsey on 44 occasions since debuting in Round 3 of the 2017 season.
The St Patrick's College graduate was contracted by the club until the cessation of this season.