By Katie Catherall
Toni Kroos intends to retire from football after Germany's Euro 2024 campaign.
The legendary midfielder has spent the last 10 years of his career at Real Madrid after initially making his name in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. Having reversed his international retirement earlier this year, he will play in at the Euros on home soil before hanging up his boots altogether.
In an emotional statement on Instagram, Kroos said: "July 17th, 2014 - the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life. My life as a footballer - but especially as a person.
"It was the start of a new chapter at the biggest club in the world. After 10 years, at the end of the season this chapter comes to an end. I will never forget that insolent successful time! I would particularly like to thank everyone who welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me.
"But especially I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first day until the last one. At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship. As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club. I am happy and proud, that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it by my own.
"My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level. From now on there is only one leading thought: go for 15!!! HALA MADRID AND NOTHING MORE."
Kroos has made 463 appearances for Madrid since signing from Bayern Munich in 2014, with next month's Champions League final set to be his 464th and last for the club. The 34-year-old has lifted the trophy five times in his career to date, as well as seven league titles in Germany and Spain, four national cups, five domestic super cups, four UEFA Super Cups and five FIFA Club World Cups. Kroos was also part of the Germany squad that won the World Cup in 2014.
Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund, against whom Kroos won his first Champions League title whilst playng for Bayern in 2013, in this season's final at Wembey Stadium on 1 June. Germany then start their Euro campaign against Scotland just 13 days later.
READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Toni Kroos will retire after Euro 2024.
