J1 Kobe Podolski retires, "I will never forget the feelings of supporters" January 19, 0:36
Former German national football team Lucas Podolski of VISSEL KOBE will be leaving the team upon expiration of the contract.
Podolski, 34, has played in the World Cup for the third time in a row as a forward of the German national team and contributed to the German victory in the 2014 Brazilian Games.
He joined J1 Vissel three years ago in the middle of the season and scored five goals in the first year.
However, last season, which was the last year of the contract, he returned to Germany temporarily due to poor conditions, and only 13 games were played in the league.
Vissel announced on Tuesday that he will not renew his contract for the next season with Podolski and will leave the team.
Podolski played 52 games in the league and scored 15 goals.
Podolski said, "I was able to build the best relationship with my supporters from the first day to the last day of coming to Kobe. I will never forget the feelings of the supporters. No, thank you, everyone. "