Rankine, one of the few players to have made 700 league appearences brings down the curtain on what has been a long and largely successful career which saw him play for Doncaster Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Preston North End, Sheffield United and then ended at Tranmere Rovers.
The Rovers number 8 joined the club in July 2004 on an initial one year deal. However, after a hugely successful season which saw him named Players Player Of The Year, help the club reach the play-offs and make 43 league appearences, Rankine agreed a new one year contract last summer.
But this season has been a difficult one for Ranks and as a consequence he managed to play in less than half of Rovers games. In all, Rankine played 24 league games for Tranmere this season and a total of 67 league appearences, of which only four were from the substitute bench in his two seasons at Prenton Park.
On the situtation, Brian Little commented "Mark had a great first season with us, helping us to reach the play-offs.
However, he has found recovery between games more difficult this season and he felt it best to call it a day.
We wish him all the best for the future."
Tranmere Rovers Mad would also like to wish Mark all the best for the future as he was a fantastic player and his 110% commitment coupled with his Never Say Die attitude made him a great player over his 19 season career.