GLASGOW Warriors’ longest-serving player has announced his retirement with immediate effect because of injury. Back-row forward James Eddie made 126 appearances for the team - and would have made far more but for the persistent shoulder problems that he estimates have cost him four years of playing time.

Having first signed a decade ago, Eddie has been part of the Warriors’ transformation for PRO12 also-rans to champions, and has also watched the support base grow to the extent that Scotstoun is now regularly sold out. He played for the final time in the win against Leinster last month, and will present the match ball at Friday night’s match against Zebre.

“It’s been amazing to see the club develop over the years, and I’m really proud and privileged to have been a part of it,” Eddie said yesterday. “Now I’m just looking forward to getting behind the team as we hopefully regain the title and then moving on to the next stage of my life.

“I’ve been at Hughenden, Firhill, and then back to Hughenden, so I’ve been around the block. You almost can’t compare it – it’s so different. I remember you used to get in your car to the Palace of Arts, then up to Whitecraigs, then maybe off to Nethercraigs – you’d spend half your day in the car. Whereas now, you’re here [at Scotstoun] at 8am and you’re busy until 4pm and the facility is world class.

“Glasgow weren’t winning then and I remember when we did sometimes win an away game it was like we’d won the World Cup, whereas now we go into every game looking to get a result. There is a confidence – not an arrogance – around the squad. We believe in ourselves but we also respect the opposition – for example we know that Zebre is going to be a really tough game this weekend.”

Eddie has had four operations on his left shoulder, which he injured in his last match against Leinster, and two on the right. Having decided to retire, he will now work in the family business, fish and seafood merchants WAA Eddie Ltd.

“It was always my plan to take over the family business,” he explained. “I didn’t want to do it this young, but because of circumstances I’ve had to do it two or three years before I would have liked to.

“But I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason. I’ve had a great career and now I’m looking forward to the next stage in my life.”

Gregor Townsend, the Warriors’ head coach, paid tribute to a player whose commitment made him a fans’ favourite at Scotstoun. “James has been a great role model for what the Warriors are all about - working hard every day to improve himself and also doing all he can to get the best out of his team-mates,” Townsend said. “He has also been a great ambassador for the club and is rightly held in high regard from our supporters.

“James has shown resilience in the face of a number of setbacks due to injury and improved year on year in his time as a Warrior. Reaching 100 caps was a proud day for James and his family against Toulon two seasons ago. He's shown his adaptability in recent seasons, filling in at times in the second row as well as impressing at 7s rugby, playing in the Commonwealth Games and captaining the club to a Melrose 7s victory.”

As well as that appearance at Glasgow 2014, Eddie was also capped for Scotland A, Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s.