Former Arsenal striker to return to former club for farewell game

Former Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski is preparing for an emotional farewell at his boyhood club, 1. FC Köln, in a star-studded event set to take place at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion on 10 October.

The German forward, who enjoyed a stint with the Gunners from 2012 to 2015, will take to the pitch in a special match that promises to bring together friends, former teammates, and football legends.

Podolski, currently playing for Polish side Gornik Zabrze, is ending his professional journey where it all began according to reports from Germany, although he is still under contract in Poland until the end of the season.

The farewell event, titled “Our 10 returns home – one last time in Rut un Wiess,” will be televised live on ProSieben, Joyn, and ran.de. This game seems to be more a chance for the Köln fans to say their goodbyes rather than an announcement that Poldi is retiring immediately.

The 39-year-old has revealed that he will wear a specially designed shirt for the event, which has been created in partnership with 1. FC Köln‘s kit supplier, hummel.

In a teaser posted on Instagram, Podolski showed himself unveiling a series of past Köln jerseys before hiding the unique farewell kit, which will be officially revealed on Friday, 27 September. The jersey will be available for purchase at the club’s store and at the stadium during the game.

Podolski is a well-liked figure at Arsenal, having scored 31 goals in 82 appearances across all competitions. He arrived at the North London club in 2012 and made an immediate impact with his powerful left foot, earning the admiration of Gunners fans with memorable strikes against the likes of Montpellier in the Champions League and West Ham in the Premier League. Podolski’s versatility allowed him to play both as a winger and a central striker, making him a valuable asset for then-manager Arsène Wenger.

While the full lineup for Podolski’s farewell game is yet to be confirmed, FC Köln has hinted that the night will be feature appearances from several 2014 World Cup winners. Also expected to feature are players from Podolski’s time at Köln, current members of the club’s squad, and teammates from Gornik Zabrze.

Fans attending the event can also expect a pre-game show, with German TV host Matthias Opdenhövel moderating the evening and popular football commentator Wolff Fuss providing in-game commentary. The broadcast will kick off at 7:45 p.m. with a “TV total Poldi special,” building up to the match at 8:45 p.m.

Podolski, who earned 130 caps for the German national team, famously scored his final international goal in a match against England in 2017, celebrating with a Cologne flag. Despite stints with clubs like Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Arsenal, he remains deeply connected to Köln, where his iconic No. 10 shirt has remained unused since his departure in 2012.

The event is expected to be a sell-out, reflecting the immense popularity and admiration that Podolski continues to command at the club.