FORMER Saints forward Josh Jones has revealed he is suffering from the serious brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Jones, 31, retired from the game last year due to concussion-related issues shortly after being released by Huddersfield Giants

His professional career started with Saints, with whom he won the Super League Grand Final in 2014 as part of his 94-game spell between his debut in 2012 and 2015, when he switched to rugby union with Exeter Chiefs.

CTE, which is thought to be linked to repeated head injuries and blows to the head, slowly gets worse over time and leads to dementia.

Jones posted on X: "My friends and family, after a challenging few months I wanted to share that I have been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

"The news has come as a shock for me and my family and has brought significant changes to my life and the lives of those closest to me.

"My family and I appreciate your support through this difficult period. Much love, Josh."

His spell in union was brief, returning to the 13-man code with Salford Red Devils for a successful four-year spell between 2016 and 2019, which ended with a place on the Great Britain tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in 2019.

He then spent a season at Hull FC before joining the Giants in 2021, but he played just four games for them in 2023 due to injury and stepped away from the game at the end of the season, beginning a new career as a financial adviser.

Leyland-born Jones made 283 appearances in his senior rugby league career in total.