Podolski retires aged 39… but has kebab empire to keep him busy

LUKAS PODOLSKI made an emotional farewell to football as he hung up his boots for the last time.

The former Arsenal star announced his retirement after a testimonial game in front of 50,000 fans in Cologne, Germany.

Podolski, 39, most recently played for Gornik Zabrze in Poland but returned to his boyhood club for his final game.

The forward opened the scoring for "Team Poldi" who won the game 5-3 against a Cologne XI.

After the match, Podolski was given a standing ovation at the RheinEnergieStadion.

The former German international shed a few tears as he addressed the crowd afterwards.

He said: "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.

"Once a Cologne fan, always a Cologne fan."

He added: "It really touches me that so many fans would like to come to enjoy this special evening with me.

"It is an honour for me to wear the Billygoat on my chest once more in front of a full house.

"It's a final declaration of love for this special city, the club with its fantastic fans, my team-mates for so many years and other people who have accompanied my path."

Podolski was joined in the match by multiple legends of the game, such as Mats Hummels, Manuel Neuer and his former Arsenal team-mate Per Mertesacker.

Managers Joachim Low and Hansi Flick were also involved in the evening.

Podolski previously spent three years with the Gunners between 2012 and 2015.

During his spell in North London, he won the FA Cup in 2014 and featured in 82 games, scoring 31 goals and providing 15 assists.

He will be busy in retirement as he will continue to work in his business empire.

He has opened multiple food shops, including a Manal Doner kebab shop in Cologne.

It has been reported that his investments have helped his net worth rise to £177.5million.