OFFICIAL: Former Arsenal & Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski joins Antalyaspor

Former Germany star has no intention of retiring.

Now he’s found a new club to continue his career.

Antalyaspor, who are struggling in the Turkish Super Lig, have signed World Cup winner Lukas Podolski on a free transfer. The Former Germany international had been with Vissel Kobe since 2017, having joined the Japanese club from Galatasaray, and was linked with Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim after visiting their training ground.

The 34-year-old has instead returned to Turkey with Antalyaspor, and will sign a one-and-a-half-year contract. The Turkish club finished seventh last season but are in the relegation zone after 18 games in 2019-20.

The Arsenal and Bayern Munich forward Podolski, who will wear the number 11 shirt for his new side, has also been in talks with Cologne over taking up a role at the German club following his retirement.

Podolski last played for Cologne in 2012, but as a product of their youth academy, the striker is still highly regarded at the Rhineland club, for whom he scored 86 goals and made 181 appearances in two separate stints. He said he had “a comfortable and open discussion” with the club’s board and is “looking forward to planning how I can support FC (Cologne) in the future”.