World Cup winner Andre Schurrle says he doesn’t “need the applause any more” after announcing his retirement at 29.
The Germany forward had a year left on his deal with Borussia Dortmund but the two parties agreed to cancel it.
Schurrle, who helped his country win the 2014 World Cup, had a spell at Chelsea and was on loan at Fulham.
“The decision matured in me for a long time,” he told German newspaper Der Speigel. “The depths became deeper and the highlights less and less.”
Schurrle played for Chelsea from 2013-15 and won a Premier League winners medal in 2015 despite leaving the club for Wolfsburg part-way through the season.
“I want to let you know that I’m stepping away from playing professional football,” added on social media.
“On behalf of myself and my family I want to thank everybody who was a part of these phenomenal years.
“The support and love you shared with me was unbelievable and more I could have ever asked for. Now I’m ready and open for all the beautiful possibilities that are coming towards me.”
