Former Arsenal attacker Lukas Podolski has announced his retirement in the most entertaining way possible, ending an eventful 21-year career.
Podolski made his first senior appearance for FC Koln in 2003, and nine years later he moved to Arsenal as an experienced Germany International with a spell at Bayern Munich under his belt.
The German became a fan favourite at Arsenal, even if his spell under Arsene Wenger was not wholly successful. Podolski scored 32 goals in 81 games for the club, which included some incredible long-range strikes on his iconic left foot.
Podolski had spells in Japan and Turkey in the last few years, before ending up in Poland where he was born, but the 39-year-old has now decided to hang up his boots.
Former Arsenal attacker Lukas Podolski announces retirement from football
Podolski has now confirmed his retirement, and he held a testimonial game at his boyhood club Koln, with a ‘Poldi XI’ of his old teammates facing his first club.
The attacker played one half for each team, with Poldi XI taking a 5-0 lead into half time, with former teammates including former Arsenal teammate Per Mertesacker, Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and Barcelona manager Hansi Flick.
He then moved to Koln for the second half, scoring to help reduce the deficit, but the scenes at full-time were the main attraction.
“It’s over on the pitch now, but we’ll definitely see each other again off the pitch – whether in the stands or on the road,” Podolski stated after the game, before he climbed into the crowd and carried a lit flare, in a truly remarkable image, which invoked memories of one of his most iconic moments.
When Lukas Podolski joined the Arsenal fans after winning a North London Derby
Arsenal fans loved Podolski’s jovial character, and one of his best moments came as he climbed into the away section at White Hart Lane, after Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the North London Derby in March 2014.
Tomas Rosicky scored the only goal of the game in the first minute, before Wenger’s side held on to secure the win and clean sheet, and fans were jubilant after.
Podolski climbed into the away section to be greeted by his fans, and he created an iconic image as he celebrated the victory.
This time, Podolski climbing into the crowd was not to celebrate one important victory, but rather his whole career, which saw him become a legend at Koln, and win several trophies including the World Cup on the way.
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