Andre Schurrle has retired from football at 29 years of age. The decision comes following the cancellation of his Borussia Dortmund contract at the end of the Bundesliga season. The German has won the World Cup as well as five major club trophies, so it is a huge shock to see him finish playing at such a young age.
In Schurrle’s own words, the “depths became deeper and the highlights less and less” as his career progressed. Here, we take a look at the events which have led to his retirement.
Where Did it Go Wrong for Andre Schurrle?
2013/14 peak
Schurrle became known to Premier League audiences when he joined Chelsea in 2013. His stay in London was fruitful, making 44 appearances for the club under Jose Mourinho.
Despite completing a transfer to Wolfsburg in January 2015, Schurrle’s 14 league appearances in the first half of that season earned him a Premier League winner’s medal.
Schurrle’s finest hour had arrived in summer 2014, as he played a starring role in Germany’s World Cup triumph. The winger scored twice in the 7-1 drubbing of hosts Brazil in the semi-final and assisted Mario Gotze’s late winner in the final.
Declining Fortunes Back in the Bundesliga
That 2015 transfer to Wolfsburg initially paid off for Schurrle. In May that year, he came off the bench to help them win their first-ever DFB-Pokal, defeating Borrusia Dortmund in the final.
In July 2016, Schurrle would complete a transfer to join Dortmund for an undisclosed fee. Unlike his moves to Chelsea and Wolfsburg, it was a transfer that has not worked for either party.
Unsuccessful Loan Spells
The German struggled for form and fitness in Dortmund and was sent on a two-year loan to Fulham in July 2018.
Schurrle, however, could not help the Cottagers avoid relegation at the end of the 2018/19 season. As a result, his loan deal was cut short and he had to return to a club with which he had no future.
Another loan move followed, this time to Spartak Moscow, last summer. Schurrle did not play for the Russian club at all this year because of injury, and they decided against extending the loan upon its expiration in early July.
Calling Time on his Playing Career
Two weeks later, and Schurrle has announced his retirement from football. He has not felt valued or settled at any club in Europe for a number of years and has so strongly fallen out of love for football that he has decided not to continue playing the game.
For the once-formidable winger, today marks a sad end to a hugely successful career.
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