Florian Kainz announces retirement from football

After multiple setbacks over the past few years resulting from injuries, Köln's former captain and current midfielder Florian Kainz has announced his retirement.

The announcement came via the player's Instagram page in correspondence with the west German club.

At only 33-years-old, this retirement may come as a shock to those who have not watched Köln this season.

However, he has struggled massively for game time for the reason that he has been riddled with injuries this season and also the emergence of Said El Mala which has prevented him from playing in his native left wing position.

He has played 11 games this season in the Bundesliga this season but only has one start which was in November with a stunning free kick against Köln's opponents this Saturday, Hamburg.

After a lengthy injury recovery, Kainz finally made a comeback for a single minute when he came on against Stuttgart and unfortunately gave away the ball for the 3-1 goal from Deniz Undav.

He also has failed to appear for Austria since 2024 but was instrumental in Köln's promotion last season towards the final games under Friedhelm Funkel where he scored twice against Nurnberg on the penultimate matchday.