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Another hero from Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad has decided to call time on his football career. Lukas Podolski will officially retire from professional football at the end of this summer.

The 1. FC Köln legend confirmed his decision to retire on Friday through an announcement on social media. Recently, he led his boyhood club, Górnik Zabrze, to their long-awaited Polish Cup victory as captain. Since Podolski now owns the club, the news of his retirement had been anticipated by many.

“One chapter ends, a new era begins,” wrote Podolski, who has been playing for Górnik Zabrze in Poland since 2021. His final appearance will come during Saturday’s home fixture against Radomiak Radom, just two days after officially becoming the club’s owner.

In his emotional farewell video, the fan favourite displayed the jerseys of all the clubs he has played for, took a quiet sip of tea, and concluded in his typical relaxed manner: “Right, that’s a day’s work done.” Górnik Zabrze’s official statement followed, saying, “Thank you for everything, Poldi, and best of luck in your new role.”

The forward, renowned for his powerful left foot and easy-going charisma, leaves behind an illustrious career. Podolski lifted the FIFA World Cup with Germany in 2014, marking a crowning achievement in a career that included 130 caps and 49 goals for the national team—ranking third in Germany’s all-time scoring list behind Miroslav Klose (71) and Gerd Müller (68).

As his playing days draw to a close, Podolski appears ready to embrace one final dream.

Having risen through the youth system at 1. FC Köln, Podolski made his senior debut in 2003. He went on to play in the Bundesliga for FC Bayern Munich, where he secured a domestic double in 2008. His career also took him abroad, featuring stints with Arsenal in England, Inter Milan in Italy, Galatasaray in Turkey, Vissel Kobe in Japan, and Antalyaspor, before returning to Poland to finish his career.

Toward the end of his career, Podolski set himself one last sporting goal. After five seasons with Górnik Zabrze, the former World Cup winner finally achieved a long-awaited domestic cup success with his beloved Polish club. The triumph made him a titleholder in five different countries, following earlier honours with Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe.

“This was meant to be my final season because I know the effort it demands of me and my family, who often have to stay in the background,” Podolski commented shortly after the cup victory. Away from football, the “Kölsche Jung” has also built a successful business career, running a popular kebab chain and an ice-cream parlour.