Niklas Süle has confirmed he will retire from professional football at the end of the season, bringing an injury-hit career to a close at the age of 30.

The Borussia Dortmund defender announced after suffering a knee injury during last month’s Bundesliga clash against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Süle feared he had suffered a third anterior cruciate ligament injury, a setback that has significantly affected his career over the years. Although scans later showed the injury was not an ACL rupture, the experience reportedly convinced him it was time to step away from football.

Speaking on the Spielmacher podcast on Wednesday, the former Germany national football team defender revealed he became emotional after initially believing the injury was severe.

“I went into the shower and cried for 10 minutes,” Süle said.

He explained that even after receiving encouraging MRI results, his decision to retire had already been made.

“When I went for the MRI the next day and received the good news that it was not a cruciate ligament tear, it was 1,000% clear to me that it was over,” he stated.

“I couldn’t imagine anything worse than actually looking forward to the time afterward, being independent, going on vacation, spending time with my children, but then having to process my third cruciate ligament tear.”

Süle will remain under contract with Borussia Dortmund until June 30 before officially ending his playing career.

During his time in football, he won five Bundesliga titles with FC Bayern Munich and was part of the squad that lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2020.

At international level, Süle earned 49 caps for Germany, represented the country at two FIFA World Cups, and won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017.

His retirement marks the end of a career widely regarded as one of great promise but repeatedly interrupted by serious injuries.