Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm has confirmed he will retire from football at the end of the current campaign.
The 33-year-old’s current deal is not due to expire until the end of next season but the former Germany international has opted to call time on his 15-year senior playing career.
Lahm will go down as one of Germany’s most successful ever players having made more than 500 appearances for Bayern, winning every trophy available to him.
“I will end my career at the end of the season,” Sky Sports quote Lahm as saying. “I’ve been considering it for more than the past year, that you have to keep testing yourself, you have to keep asking yourself ‘ how is it’, day by day, week by week on the training pitch, what’s the feeling you have.
“I have informed club officials about my decision. I can continue with my leadership style, giving my best every day, in every training, until the end of the season. I can keep doing it this season but not beyond.”
There had been suggestions Lahm would move immediately into a role on the Bayern board but there are now reports suggesting the veteran defender will take a sabbatical from football first before plotting his next move.
Since August 2009 Lahm has completed at least 2519 more passes than any other player in the Bundesliga (13238).
For more stats on Philipp Lahm, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
