The topsy-turvy AFL career of Colin Sylvia is officially over, with the former Demon agreeing to leave Fremantle immediately despite having more than a year remaining on his contract.

Sylvia was unveiled as a high-prized recruit when Fremantle nabbed him as a free agent on a three-year deal at the end of 2013.

But the move ended up being a flop of mammoth proportions.

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Sylvia played just six underwhelming games last year before being banished to the WAFL in February for failing to live up to the club’s training standards.

His form in the secondary competition failed to improve, with the Dockers confirming on Tuesday that they had officially parted ways with the 29-year-old.

“While I have really enjoyed my time here, things haven’t gone entirely to plan in a football sense and I look forward to focusing on the next phase of my life,” Sylvia said in a statement.

Dockers football operations manager Chris Bond said Sylvia had made the right decision to retire.

“Colin has been working through a number of issues, including whether he was able to achieve and sustain the physical requirements needed to train and play at the elite level,” Bond said.

“It is never an easy decision. But after discussions between Colin, his management, and the club, it was agreed that his long-term interests would be best served by retiring from the AFL.”

Sylvia had high hopes placed on his shoulders after being drafted by Melbourne with pick No.3 in the 2003 national draft.

The midfielder showed glimpses of his talent during his 157-game, 10-year stay at the Demons, but his inconsistency was a constant frustration for fans and coaches alike.

Many predicted his move to the Dockers under renowned task master Ross Lyon would reignite his career.

But it was not to be, with Sylvia’s training and playing performances underwhelming from the outset.

Such was the extent of Sylvia’s flop, Fremantle revealed earlier this year it would review their recruiting processes in order to avoid a repeat case in the future.

Last year, the Dockers delisted Josh Simpson after the first-round draft pick struggled to meet the requirements needed to play AFL.