Borussia Dortmund defender Niklas Süle will retire at the end of the current season, making his final appearance at Signal Iduna Park during Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Mainz. The 29-year-old marked the occasion with his 300th Bundesliga game, returning from a knee injury to play in front of the home supporters.
Süle joined Dortmund in 2022 from Bayern Munich, where he had won five consecutive Bundesliga titles. His time at Dortmund has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent form, resulting in just 110 appearances across four seasons for the Black and Yellows. He expressed gratitude to coach Niko Kovac for the opportunity to play one last time in front of the “Yellow Wall,” Dortmund’s famous south stand.
“I’m incredibly happy. The fact that the coach gave me a few minutes again is incredibly nice,” Süle said after the match, as reported by the club’s official website. He acknowledged that his time at Dortmund did not unfold as expected, stating, “You have to be honest. How I was treated today is not so common. The expectation was a bit different. After four years, it did not work out for various reasons.”
Kovac revealed he specifically requested the referee, Patrick Ittrich, to delay substitutions to allow Süle to enter the field. Ittrich is also retiring at the end of the season. “I asked the referee not to whistle until I've brought Niki (Süle),” Kovac stated post-match. “Niki knew I'd bring him. He deserves that because he's a great boy. He had a great career. Now I'm giving him his retirement. I’m wishing him all the best. He's going to golf a lot and probably travel the world.”
Süle’s career includes a Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 2019, and he was a member of the Germany squad that participated in the 2018 World Cup. His departure marks the end of an era for a player who has consistently featured at the highest level of German football. Süle’s retirement will open up a squad space for Dortmund as they look to build for the future, and the club will likely seek a replacement in the upcoming transfer window.
