The Slovenian had been struggling with knee problems since the International Ski Federation (FIS) Grand Prix final in Klingenthal on October 2, but failure to diagnose a serious injury fuelled Kranjec to continue training.

Last week, however, an MRI examination showed that he had torn the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee, meaning the 35-year-old will now have to undergo surgery next week.

"It was not easy for me to make this decision and, as a result, miss the entire season," said Kranjec on Facebook.

"But I want to be in the best possible shape for the next Olympic Games in 2018.

"That is why this injury shall be treated as soon as possible."

Kranjec, who was crowned 2012 FIS Ski Flying World Champion, collected two wins on the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup circuit last year.

The first came in Vikersund in Norway while the other arrived in his home country at Planica where he scored an impressive total haul of 447.6 points to win in front of 25,000 partisan home fans.

Kranjec's latest injury concerns are the latest in a difficult last two years.

During the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Kranjec sustained a knee injury in the qualification for the normal hill competition.

He also crashed in training in Innsbruck in Austria last year injuring his elbow which forced him to require surgery.