Lukas Podolski announces retirement from football
Former Bayern Munich, Cologne and Germany forward Lukas Podolski has announced that he is hanging up his boots for good at the age of 40.
A World Cup winner in 2014 with Germany, Podolski confirmed his decision on Friday, a day after it was revealed that he will become the new majority owner of Górnik Zabrze in Poland.
The left-footer began his career with Cologne in 2003, quickly becoming a fan favourite and a Germany international. The forward went on to make 181 Bundesliga appearances for the Billy Goats, scoring 79 goals.
His impressive displays earned “Poldi” a move to Bayern Munich in 2006. He won the Bundesliga title and the DFB Cup in 2008, scoring 15 goals in 71 league appearances for the club. After returning to Cologne, he cemented his status as a club icon and even captained the side for a period.
Podolski later went on to lace his boots for Arsenal, Inter Milan, Galatasaray, as well as Vissel Kobe in Japan and, most recently, in Poland with Górnik Zabrze, with whom he won the 2025/26 Polish Cup.
