Cologne's Florian Kainz has decided he'll retire from football at the end of the season. - © IMAGO/nordphoto GmbH / Hafner

bundesliga

Cologne's Florian Kainz to retire this summer

11.03.2026

After a 16-year professional career, Cologne's Florian Kainz will retired from football at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, he confirmed in an emotional video.

"It was an incredible journey. After 25 years, I am going to bid football farewell this summer. Thank you for everything," Kainz said. "What became clear to me is that I wanted to finish with Cologne in the Bundesliga. As such, I will give everything until my last day with the club."

"I even sat with Kainzi in the dressing room during my own career," said Cologne director of football Thomas Kessler. "Florian has experienced a lot during his seven-and-a-half with us, and not only has he become more and more affiliated with the club, he has fully identified with us from day one.

"His record speaks for itself: 200 competitive appearances, many of which included important goals and fantastic performances when we needed them. Kainzi has earned the chance to leave on his own terms. Now, it's important that we end this season successfully so we can give him the goodbye he deserves."

Kainz made his professional debut at the age of just 17 for Sturm Graz in his Austrian homeland, while he played European football in his first campaign. After a stint at Rapid Vienna, he made the switch to the Bundesliga, initially with Werder Bremen before moving to Cologne two-and-a-half years later.

There have been lots of ups and downs during his time with the Billy Goats, from UEFA Europa League participation to relegation. Last season, the 28-time Austria international scored crucial goals against Nuremberg and Kaiserslautern towards the end of last season as the club gained promotion back to the top flight.