Former Germany defender Niklas Süle has announced he will retire from professional football at the end of the season.
The 30-year-old Borussia Dortmund centre back will end his playing days with his contract expiring, the club said on Thursday.
"I would like to announce that I will be ending my career this summer," Süle said on the "Spielmacher" podcast by 360Media, the quotes from which were republished by Dortmund.
The average age of a male footballer retiring in Germany is around 35 and a handful of players such as Bayern Munich keeper Manual Neuer still play into their 40s.
Süle had been toying with the idea of hanging up his boots for some time despite his relatively young age for a footballer. The final decision came after the match in Hoffenheim in April, where he injured his knee.
Süle said he became emotional after Dortmund's team doctor and a physio tested his knee in the dressing room and appeared concerned about a possible cruciate ligament tear.
"I went into the shower and cried for 10 minutes. In that moment, I really thought: 'It's torn'," Süle told the podcast.
MRI good news made decision clear
"When I went for an MRI the next day and received the good news (that it wasn't a cruciate ligament tear after all), it was one 1,000% clear to me that it was over.
"I couldn't imagine anything worse than looking forward to life – being independent, going on holiday, spending time with my children – only to then have to come to terms with my third cruciate ligament tear," said Süle, whose career has repeatedly been interrupted by injuries.
Dortmund had already announced that the club would not extend the defender's contract after four years with the team.
Champions League winner with Bayern
Süle played 49 times for Germany between 2016 and 2023.
He launched his professional career at Hoffenheim before joining Bayern Munich for the 2017-18 season, where he went on to win five Bundesliga titles, two German Cups and the Champions League in 2020. Süle joined Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
"Thank you for everything, Niki. Together, we've enjoyed great moments and celebrated a few titles. We wish you nothing but the best in your new chapter," Bayern wrote on X.
He was long criticized by Bayern, Germany and Dortmund fans for apparent struggles with his weight and had become a peripheral figure at Dortmund.
Süle could still have found contracts elsewhere but has decided to go out on his own terms. Midfielders Julian Brandt and Salih Özcan are also leaving Dortmund when their contracts run out in June but are expected to continue playing, with Arsenal amid those linked in the media with Brandt.
Bochum defender Kevin Vogt, who also played for Hoffenheim, Werder Bremen, Augsburg and Union Berlin, also announced his retirement at 34 on Thursday after over 300 Bundesliga games.
He had seen little action this term for second-tier Bochum due to injury, but did have a contract for next term.
