Lewis Holtby confirms Holstein Kiel departure after the season | OneFootball

After recently making a sarcastic remark about potentially retiring at the end of the season, veteran German-English footballer Lewis Holtby may very well be hanging up his boots at the end of the campaign. On Sunday, the Holstein Kiel captain confirmed that – in any case – he will be leaving his current Bundesliga club once the season concludes. Holtby’s trademark Wanderlust once again factors into play.

Whether the 34-year-old retains any future playing prospects remains to be seen. The dual heritage Holtby has been hopping between the country of his parental lineage (England) and his birth (Germany) throughout his entire career. Ever since coming through the Borussia Mönchengladbach youth ranks at the turn of the century, he’s represented numerous clubs in both the German and English first and second divisions.

Holtby has been back in Germany since joining Kiel on a free from Blackburn Rovers in August 2021. He recently commemorated his 100th overall appearance for the Störche. Kiel’s promotion to the top flight last season also enabled him to record his 200th Bundesliga appearance this year. Holtby previously featured in the German top flight for Schalke 04 and Hamburg.

Holtby inherited the Kiel captain’s armband this season after past skipper Philipp Sander moved to his old youth club Gladbach over the summer. The decision was met with some criticism as Holtby wasn’t considered on of head coach Marcel Rapp’s regular first-team players. Thus far, Holtby has started only 12 of Kiel’s 25 Bundesliga fixtures.

Kiel released a video announcement from Holtby on Sunday. Club managing director for sport Carsten Wehlmann issued a statement as well. Both men emphasised that need to get the confirmation out of the way in order to help everyone associated with the club focus on the relegation fight. Kiel are currently in 16th place, three points from the relegation-promotion playoff place.

“First of all, I would like to thank everyone involved for the trusting relationship and respectful discussions,” Holtby said. “It was important to me to include the club in my plans at an early stage and thus create clarity for everyone. That’s why I approached those in charge and informed them that I would like to do something new and not extend my [expiring] contract.

“I wanted to put this issue aside and focus fully on our big common goal [of avoiding relegation at the end of the season,” Holtby continued. “I will always remember the time in Kiel as one of the most enjoyable chapters of my career.”

“We have been in a very trusting exchange with Lewis for quite some time,” Wehlmann added. ”Now he has made a decision for himself and his family, which we naturally respect. This open approach is a testament to the mutual respect and shows the professionalism with which Lewis works. Lewis’ focus and attitude renders him a role model for everyone.

“He has shaped the successful path of recent years through his performance on the pitch and his leadership in the locker room,” Wehlmann continued. “He is one of the names that will remain forever associated with the club. Now it’s time to focus on our common goal of avoiding relegation.”

GGFN | Peter Weis