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MITCH Clark's sudden retirement has freed up Melbourne's salary cap in 2015, leaving room to accommodate free agent James Frawley.
Clark, 26, retired with the club revealing he had been diagnosed with clinical depression.
The talented but erratic key forward signed with the Demons in 2012 on a four-year deal worth an estimated $750,000 a season. It is understood he will forgo payments in his final year, 2015.
Clark and the club settled a negotiated payout yesterday — he was owed about $1.5 million for this season and next — which means Clark will be delisted at the end of the season.
The former Lion tweeted: "Hard to put a retirement speech into a tweet. I just want to thank everyone for your support throughout my career.
He revealed earlier he had been confronted with "very challenging times".
"I just want to say thank you to the Melbourne Football Club, firstly for giving me the chance to play for them and secondly for taking care of me during my time there," he said.
DEMON CLARK TAKES PERSONAL LEAVE
DEMON CLARK'S BROKEN DREAMS
"Everyone at the club has been so supportive of me during some very challenging times, which I will always be appreciative of.
"Finally, I want to say thank you to the players and members for being there for me. I'm sorry I wasn't out on the field more, but with my injuries, it just wasn't to be."
Clark's manager Colin Young met Melbourne officials on Monday.
Clark had recovered from a 12-month foot injury suffered in Round 13, 2012, but persistent hamstring and calf muscles during the off-season, combined with battling his mental issues, meant he lost the desire to compete at AFL level.
His retirement yesterday did not surprise Melbourne staff nor his manager.
It's believed Clark battled with several aspects of football, not least the fact that he was Melbourne's highest-paid player and that he believed he was letting down the club by not playing.
The Demons will now be able to try to satisfy Frawley's demands next year.
Frawley's management has told clubs that if they want to extract Frawley from Melbourne it will cost about $800,000.
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney would not discuss Clark's financial settlement yesterday.
PICTURE GALLERY: MITCH CLARK'S CAREER
"At this stage it's inappropriate to talk about financial ramifications," Mahoney said.
Mahoney said several options were looked at with Clark and it was "decided the best option was to give up his career".
"It was a brave decision. It's a decision we support,'' Mahoney said.
Mitch Clark kicks a big goal. Source: News Limited
"The No. 1 focus through this period is his health and at the moment that's the best thing for his health going forward.
"This is a disappointing outcome. When he first signed, we thought he was going to be a key player, but it hasn't worked out for a number of circumstances."
Clark played 15 games his first two years.
Not everyone believed Clark was worth the money.
Clark's former coach at Brisbane Leigh Matthews said Clark an ``average key position player'' and Melbourne paid too much for him.
Clark's footballing contemporaries supported his decision including Tyrone Vickery who tweeted: "Football is so far off the most important thing in life. Best wishes to @MitchClark11 for a return to health. good luck for the next chapter."
Clark was originally recruited from East Fremantle with pick No. 9 in the 2005 National Draft.
He played 97 AFL games and kicked 97 goals.
People with personal problems can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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