Former Borussia Mönchengladbach captain and Germany international Lars Stindl has announced he is to retire at the end of Karlsruhe's Bundesliga 2 campaign.

Stindl returned to his boyhood club Karlsruhe in summer 2023 after eight years in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The attacking midfielder made a total of 376 appearances in the top flight for Karlsruhe, Hannover and Gladbach, scoring 85 goals. Stindl also made 11 appearances for Germany, scoring four times for the national team - with three strikes including the winning goal in the final in the successful 2017 Confederations Cup campaign.

Stindl made 19 appearances in the UEFA Champions League for Gladbach and scored a stunning volley in a pre-season friendly against Liverpool shortly after joining Karlsruhe that marked the opening of the side's new stadium.

Watch: The best of Stindl during his career

Stindl said: "I've had an incredibly beautiful and intensive career with lots of highs and some moments that weren't so easy. A dream came true for me to return to my home club last summer and play in the new Wildpark stadium, scoring the first goal there.

"I am very grateful for everyone who made that possible. I will give everything in the next few weeks to play for Karlsruhe again."

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Stindl has scored three goals in 16 appearances for Karlsruhe so far in the present season, and captained the side in a 3-2 win over Elversberg in December. He has been unable to play since the winter break due to a calf problem, however. 

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