Official: Boateng retires from football

Jerome Boateng confirmed that he is retiring from football with a post on his Instagram page. The 37-year-old hasn’t found a club since leaving LASK in the summer. The center-back won multiple trophies both at club and country level, including the World Cup and Champions League.

A nine-time Bundesliga winner with Bayern Munich, Boateng played a total of 314 games in Germany’s top division. Before Bayern, he played for Hertha Berlin and Hamburger SV. Since leaving the Rekordmeister, Boateng spent some time in Lyon, Salernitana and LASK. Boateng already acquired his B-license as a football coach.

“I’ve played for a long time, for big clubs and for my country,” said the 2014 World Cup champion on his Instagram post. “Football has given me a lot. Now it’s time to move on. Not because I have to, but because I’m ready.

“I’m thankful for everything. For my teams, the fans and the people who supported me. Above everything is my family and my children, who have always been there for me.”