Patrick Herrmann to retire from playing in the summer | OneFootball

“It won’t be easy for me to say goodbye, but I’ll go out with a smile on my face and with the knowledge that I stuck to my promise that ‘as long as my feet allow me... I will give everything.’ This season has been a struggle for me fitness-wise, and after careful consideration I’ve decided I need to hang up my boots,” said Herrmann. “But I’ll look back on a career full of passion, dedication and unforgettable moments. Whether on the pitch or on the bench, it was always an honour for me to wear the badge and hold the club in my heart.”

56 goals in 418 competitive games for Borussia

Patrick Herrmann has played 418 games so far for Borussia’s first team, scoring 56 goals and assisting 65 more. Only Berti Vogts (538), Uwe Kamps (518), Herbert ‘Hacki’ Wimmer (469) and Wolfgang Kleff (430) have made more appearances for the club than ‘Flaco’.

The 33-year-old has featured a total of 349 times in the Bundesliga, putting him fourth among Borussia players, and has recorded 47 goals and 56 assists. Herrmann also appeared 33 times in the DFB-Pokal (four goals, five assists), 25 times in the Europa League (five goals, five assists) and eleven times in the Champions League (no goals or assists). He was also capped twice by the German national side.

The winger joined Borussia’s U19s from 1. FC Saarbrücken in 2008, and made his Bundesliga debut on 16th January 2010. He came on as a 79th-minute substitute in a 2-1 defeat to VfL Bochum, and was involved in the build-up to his side’s goal just a minute later.

“Patrick has been at Borussia for 16 years and has had an amazing journey here – from an academy prospect to a leader and icon in the first team. His career has been unbelievable, and you can see that with just a glance at some of the names around him on the list of Borussia’s all-time top appearance makers,” said Gladbach’s managing director for sport Roland Virkus. “We’re extremely pleased that he will remain with the club in the future and use his passion for the club as part of the sponsoring department.”

“My two children came into the world here. Mönchengladbach has become my home. That’s why it was clear to both Borussia and me that we would continue our journey together in the future,” said Herrmann. “Bravery, hunger, loyalty, respect, team spirit and dedication will always be what drive me for as long as I live.”