“The right time”
Ex-Bundesliga star ends career
Updated on January 13, 2025 – 2:36 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Simon Kjaer has not only played many outstanding games in his career, he also helped save the life of a close friend. Now his career ends.
Simon Kjaer is quitting: The long-time Danish national team captain and former Bundesliga star has ended his professional career. The 35-year-old announced this in an interview with the Danish broadcaster TV 2 Sport. “Now was actually the right time to close this chapter,” said the central defender, who was recently without a club. During his last season in Milan he began to think about ending his career.
There were offers to play in the five biggest leagues and also internationally, but they weren’t the right fit.
Kjaer is considered one of the most important football players in Danish history. He played in several top European leagues, most recently at AC Milan, where his contract was not renewed last summer. From 2010 to 2013 he was under contract with VfL Wolfsburg, but at that time he was also temporarily loaned out to AS Roma.
After the European Championships in Germany last summer, Kjaer had already ended his career in the national team. The 132-time national player is remembered by many for his courageous intervention after his teammate Christian Eriksen collapsed at the 2021 European Championship.
At that time, he immediately rushed to help Eriksen, shielded him from view and cameras together with the team, and also lovingly looked after Eriksen’s partner.