Niklas Süle has announced that he will retire from professional football at the end of the season, bringing an end to a career that included nearly 300 Bundesliga appearances and almost 50 caps for Germany.
The Borussia Dortmund defender confirmed his decision during an appearance on the “Spielmacher” podcast produced by 360Media, saying his current contract, which expires in June, will be his last in professional football.
“I want to announce that I will retire this summer,” the 30-year-old said.
Süle revealed he had been considering retirement for some time, but said the final decision came after suffering a knee injury during Dortmund’s match against his former club TSG Hoffenheim in April.
The centre back described fearing another serious ligament injury after medical staff examined him following the match.
“When the doctor checked my knee and looked at the physio, I knew something was wrong,” Süle said. “I went into the shower and cried because I feared another cruciate ligament injury.”
After scans later confirmed the injury was not as severe as first feared, Süle said the experience convinced him it was the right time to step away from football and prioritise his long term health.
Süle joined Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2022 and went on to make more than 100 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring three goals.
Before his move to Dortmund, he enjoyed successful spells with Hoffenheim and Bayern, winning multiple Bundesliga titles and establishing himself as one of Germany’s leading defenders.
He also represented Germany 49 times at international level.
Reflecting on his career, Süle highlighted Dortmund’s dramatic Bundesliga title race in the 2022-23 season as one of the most emotional moments he experienced in football.
“That final day before the Mainz match was one of the most intense moments of my career,” he said.
During his time with Dortmund, Süle also helped the club reach the UEFA Champions League Final in his second season.
His retirement marks the end of a career that saw him become a consistent presence in German football for more than a decade.
