Hector confirms retirement from football
FC Köln captain Jonas Hector has confirmed that he will retire from professional football after the season.
After a career spanning 11 seasons for the 1. FC Köln first team, 342 competitive appearances for the only club he's represented professionally, and 43 caps for the German national team, Jonas Hector will be hanging up his cleats. The 32-year-old confirmed his decision via twitter on Saturday evening, shortly after his team defeated Hoffenheim 3-1 on a matchday 29 league encounter.
Hector's club had been expecting a decision from their skipper for several months as they pondered extending his expiring contract. The left-back retired from international football back in October of 2020. Bundestrainer Hansi Flick is said to have asked Hector back just prior to the World Cup, but the Saarbrücken-native stood by his decision.
Hector noted on twitter that he informed his teammates just prior to kickoff on Saturday. His club released a twitter post labeling him a "footballing God".
"After my family, it was important for me to inform my team, the coaching team and the staff first," Hector said on the social media platform, "For now, I don't want to say more than that I am incredibly grateful for what we have together at FC."
😍 JONAS HECTOR FUSSBALLGOTT 😍
— 1. FC Köln (@fckoeln) April 22, 2023
_____#effzeh #hector pic.twitter.com/oM9IQCmgEh