Werder Bremen defender Christian Groß will end his career at the end of the season, the player said on Monday.
"This was an extremely difficult decision to make. I’ve played football for my whole life – that’s what I’m known for. It’s definitely not a decision you can make overnight, but something that you think about for a long time," Groß was quoted in a statement from the club.
Groß will continue to work for Bremen, but discussions on when and in what role he will continue at the club are yet to take place.
"His absence will leave a huge gap in the dressing room in the summer," managing director for sport Clemens Fritz said. "Nevertheless, I’m very pleased that we’ll still have him and his personality with us."
Groß had an unusual career and made his professional debut in the 2019-20 season with Bremen, after joining their second team at the age of 29 in 2018. Before, he had only played in the third and fourth divisions.
He has played in a total of 75 Bundesliga fixtures and 27 in the second division.
