Key Takeaways:
- Niklas Süle has officially confirmed his decision to retire from football following the conclusion of his contract with Borussia Dortmund this summer
- The 30-year-old defender cited his recent injury scare and desire to focus on family life as motivating factors behind his retirement
- Since joining Borussia Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2022, Süle has made 109 appearances in all competitions for the club
Retirement Announcement and Injury Fears
Borussia Dortmund centre-back Niklas Süle has revealed his intention to retire from professional football when his current contract finishes at the end of the season. The announcement came while Süle, who is recovering from injury, spoke on the Spielmacher podcast.
“I would like to announce that I will be ending my career this summer,” Süle, who is currently sidelined, told the Spielmacher podcast.
Niklas Süle wird seine aktive Fußballkarriere nach dem letzten Spieltag der Saison 2025/26 beenden. Dies gab der 30-Jährige Verteidiger nun im Podcast "Spielmacher" bekannt.
Mehr dazu hier: https://t.co/LI353bTa6q pic.twitter.com/Rwf5EWQxW0
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) May 7, 2026
Reflecting on a distressing experience during a match in Hoffenheim, Süle shared that a feared cruciate ligament injury made him reconsider his future in the game. He described the emotional impact of the incident and elaborated on how it contributed to his decision to retire.
“What I felt when our team doctor did the drawer test in the dressing room in Hoffenheim, looked at the physio and shook his head, and the physio did it too and didn’t feel any resistance either – I went into the shower and cried for ten minutes. In that moment, I really thought: ‘It’s torn,” added the 30-year-old.
“When I went for an MRI the next day and received the good news (that it wasn’t a cruciate ligament tear after all), it was one thousand per cent clear to me that it was over. I couldn’t imagine anything worse than looking forward to life – being independent, going on holiday, spending time with my children – only to then have to come to terms with my third cruciate ligament tear.”
Career with Borussia Dortmund
Süle joined Borussia Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2022, and has since featured in 109 matches across all competitions for Die Schwarzgelben. During his four-year spell at the club, the German international experienced numerous highlights and built strong connections with the team and supporters.
“When I look back on my four years in Dortmund, there were so many moments I really enjoyed,” he added.
“The banter in the dressing room, the stadium – we’re talking about 80,000 people here. The fans always gave me a warm welcome. I’m going to miss that time very much. How at home I felt here. On my first day, I noticed what the people in Dortmund are like: open, warm, honest. I felt a huge connection with that. My children go to nursery here. It’s really hard for us to leave.”
Süle’s Impact at Dortmund: By the Numbers
| Season | Club | Appearances (All Competitions) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2026 | Borussia Dortmund | 109 |
As Süle prepares to bring his career to a close, his legacy as a reliable defender and team player for both Dortmund and previous club Bayern Munich remains secure.
