Lewis Holtby announces retirement from football
Lewis Holtby has announced his retirement from professional football after a career spanning 20 years that included spells at Schalke, Bochum, Mainz, Hamburg and Holstein Kiel, plus English clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, as well as three caps for Germany.
"It's time to say goodbye. After almost 20 years as a professional footballer, today marks the end of my active career," the 35-year-old wrote on Instagram.
"As a little boy, I had one dream: to become a professional footballer. The fact that I got to live that dream for so many years is something I'll be grateful for every single day of my life. Football has given me more than I could ever have imagined. It has shaped me, helped me grow, taken me to places I never thought I'd see, and introduced me to people who will be friends for life.
The Borussia Mönchengladbach and Alemannia Aachen youth product went on to make 225 Bundesliga and 137 Bundesliga 2 appearances across spells with Aachen, Schalke, Mainz, Bochum, Hamburg and Holstein Kiel. Eligible to represent both Germany and England at international level, the midfielder opted for the former, winning the first of three senior caps in a friendly against Sweden on 17 November 2010.
"I had the privilege of wearing the shirts of some incredible clubs, creating unforgettable memories, and playing in front of amazing fans whose support I'll never forget. One of the greatest honours of my career was representing my country something I'll always be proud of," continued Holtby, who also played for Tottenham, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers in England, before finishing up at Breda in the Netherlands.
"I leave the pitch with nothing but pride, humility, and gratitude. One thing is certain: I'll never turn my back on football. This game will always be a part of who I am, and I'm excited for what's next. Thank you to every club, every coach, every teammate, every member of staff, and every fan who has been part of this journey.
"Thank you, football. For everything," he concluded.
