Controversial midfielder Ben Cousins has announced his AFL retirement, paying tribute to his family and both the clubs he represented, West Coast and Richmond.

Cousins says he was proud to be able to leave the sport on his own terms.

Recovering drug addict Cousins says he plans to remain in Melbourne and hopes to have a continuing close relationship with Richmond, the only club prepared to take a gamble on him in the 2008 pre-season draft.