* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:38, 26 October 2025 (UTC)
Lukas Josef Podolski (German:[ˈluːkaspoˈdɔlskiː]; bornŁukasz Józef Podolski,Polish:[ˈwukaʂpɔˈdɔlskʲi], 4 June 1985) is a professionalfootballer who plays as astriker or left winger forEkstraklasa clubGórnik Zabrze. He is known for his powerful and accurate left foot, explosive shooting, technique and probing attacks from the left side.[6]
Podolski joined1. FC Köln in 1995 where he made it into the first team in 2003 resulting in 81 appearances for the club before moving toBayern Munich. With Bayern, Podolski won theBundesliga andDFB-Pokal double in 2008. Podolski returned to 1. FC Köln in 2009. He later signed forPremier League clubArsenal in 2012, with whom he won theFA Cup in2014. He then moved on loan toSerie A clubInter Milan in January 2015, before signing six months later forGalatasaray where he also won theTurkish Cup of2016.[7]
Born in Poland, Podolski was eligible to play for bothPoland and Germany (due to hisSilesian paternal grandparents having been born in then-Imperial Germany), and he was open to playing for the Polish team but was rejected by the then Polish coachPaweł Janas in 2003,[8] having already appeared for Germany at youth level. After making his first appearance for the senior team in 2004, Podolski enjoyed great success with the Germany national team.[9] He was part of the squad in seven major tournaments, winning the2014 FIFA World Cup. He is thefourth most-capped player in German history, with 130 caps, and thethird-highest goalscorer in German history, having scored 49 times.[7][10]
On 29 May 2013, Podolski scored the fastest goal in Germany national team history at that time, after just nine seconds of the 4–2 friendly win overEcuador. It was at that time the second fastest international goal in history, second only toSan Marino'sDavide Gualtieri's 8.3-second strike againstEngland in 1993.[11][12] Podolski retired from international football on 22 March 2017 after scoring the winner as captain in a friendly against England.[10]
Podolski began playing football at the age of six in the youth team of FC 07 Bergheim, where he played until he joined1. FC Köln at the age of ten. It was there that Podolski's talents were first noticed. In 2003, at the age of 18, Podolski was still part of the club's youth side. At this time the club found itself in dire straits battling to avoid relegation from theBundesliga. First team bossMarcel Koller, working on a shoestring budget, invited Podolski to train with the senior players and he made his top flight debut shortly afterwards on 22 November 2003. Even though Köln failed to avoid a drop to the2nd division, Podolski had shown what he could do, scoring 10 goals in his first 19 senior appearances.[13] This was the best tally by an 18-year-old in the history of the Bundesliga untilFlorian Wirtz overtook the record in 2021.[14]
Though his call up to theGermanEuro 2004 squad brought along interest from several top clubs, Podolski stayed at Köln to help the club gain promotion in the2004–05 season. With 24 goals, Podolski advanced to become the league's best scorer. Somewhat unusually, Podolski remained part of the Germany squad, even though he did not play in the national top-tier league.
After Köln were promoted, the pressure was on Podolski to keep the club in the Bundesliga practically singlehandedly. Podolski managed to score 12 goals in the2005–06 season, but eventually, Köln were relegated again. It became clear that Podolski would not stay again to push them through the2006–07 season—even more so, as Podolski was becoming an integral part of the national team.
In 2006, clubs such asLiverpool,Bayern Munich,Hamburger SV,Werder Bremen, andReal Madrid manifested their interest in Podolski, even though he had a contract with1. FC Köln through 2007. On 1 June 2006, Podolski announced that a transfer agreement had been reached with Bayern Munich, allowing him to join the Bavarian side for the2006–07 season. Financial details of the deal were not immediately available, but the transfer fee was speculated to be around €10 million. He made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern on 11 August 2006, coming on as a substitute in the 88th minute of a 2–0 victory againstBorussia Dortmund. On 9 September 2006, he came on as a second-half substitute in aDFB-Pokal game versusFC St. Pauli. Only 26 seconds after the second half started, he scored theequaliser, levelling the match at 1–1. On 14 October 2006, with his first Bundesliga goal for Bayern, Podolski helped to secure the club's 4–2 win overHertha BSC. On 26 October 2006, Podolski suffered a serious injury to his right ankle joint caused by teammate,Mark van Bommel, during a training session. Consequently, Podolski missed more than five match weeks. He returned from this injury and scored againstAlemannia Aachen.
After Bayern bought in Italian strikerLuca Toni in 2007, Podolski received less playing time due to coachOttmar Hitzfeld's preference to partnerMiroslav Klose and Toni together instead. However, Bayern ended the2007–08 season by winning aleague andcupdouble, giving Podolski the first major silverware of his career.
Despite former national team coachJürgen Klinsmann taking charge of Bayern for the2008–09 season, Podolski again failed to break into the team's regular first choice line-up. After a rather unhappy spell at Bayern, he returned to former clubKöln on 1 July 2009.[15]
After Podolski was assured bynational team coachJoachim Löw that a return toFC Köln would not harm his chances of international football, an agreement to sign him was agreed betweenBayern Munich and Köln in January 2009, although he would not return to Köln until the start of the summer transfer window. On 1 July, Podolski returned to Köln on a four-year contract, at a reported fee of around €10 million, equivalent to the fee Bayern paid to sign him in 2006.[16][17] Köln created a website where people were able to buy pixels of an image of Podolski for €25 per 8x8 pixel square, in order to gather €1 million to reduce the cost of the transfer;[18][19] Formula One driver and Köln supporterMichael Schumacher bought several pixels for €875.[20]
Having just moved from Bayern Munich, Podolski had a poor first season at Köln, scoring just three times the entire season. One of his goals however, came from a free kick against his former club to salvage a draw.
In the2010–11 season, Podolski scored his 50th Bundesliga goal in the match againstHannover 96 in March 2011. Throughout the entire season, Podolski scored 13 goals and made seven assists.
The2011–12 season was the final season in his second spell for Köln. Despite the team's relegation to the2. Bundesliga, Podolski scored 18 goals in 29 leagueBundesliga appearances.
Out of respect for his loyalty and achievements for the club,1. FC Köln chose to retire his famous No. 10 shirt as long as he is an active football player.[21] However, Köln began assigning the number 10 shirt again at the start of the2014–15 Bundesliga season.[22]
Podolski was linked withPremier League clubArsenal throughout the 2012 winter transfer window but no deal materialised. However, on 30 April 2012, it was officially announced that Podolski had signed for Arsenal on a long-term deal, for an undisclosed fee.[23] On 12 August 2012, Podolski started for Arsenal in a pre-season match against his former club, Köln, scoring twice, once from a penalty in a 4–0 victory.[24] Podolski took the number 9 fromPark Chu-Young, who had been loaned out toCelta Vigo, after the number 10 shirt vacated byRobin van Persie was given toJack Wilshere.[25][26] Podolski then started in his first official match for Arsenal againstSunderland on the opening day of the Premier League on 18 August 2012. He played 63 minutes before being subbed off for another 2012 summer signing,Olivier Giroud, in the match which finished 0–0.[27] He scored his first goal for Arsenal on 2 September in a 2–0 win againstLiverpool atAnfield whilst also providing the assist forSanti Cazorla to score his first for the Gunners.[28] Podolski scored his second goal for Arsenal in the following game, scoring a free-kick from 25 yards in a 6–1 victory againstSouthampton.[29]
On 18 September 2012, he scored his firstUEFA Champions League goal for the Gunners in a 2–1 away win againstMontpellier.[30] In Arsenal's second game in the Champions League, Podolski scored again as Arsenal defeated Greek championsOlympiacos 3–1 on 3 October.[31] Podolski then scored his first goal in more than a month againstFulham in a thrilling 3–3 draw.[32] On 17 November, Podolski scored his fourth League goal as Arsenal defeatedTottenham 5–2 in theNorth London derby.[33] He then helped Arsenal qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League by scoring the second goal as Arsenal beat Montpellier 2–0.[34] Podolski then played a pivotal part in an impressive 5–2 win away from home againstReading at theMadejski Stadium, scoring the first goal and assisting 2 more, which had helped teammateSanti Cazorla to score his first ever hat-trick. On 30 December 2012, Podolski played an integral part of the team that beat Newcastle 7–3. His first contribution was an incisive pass toTheo Walcott for Arsenal's first goal. In addition, due to Newcastle's failure to clear the ball off their line, Podolski pounced on a header for his last goal of 2012. He was substituted forAaron Ramsey to a standing ovation.[35]
On 23 January 2013, Podolski produced an impressive performance as Arsenal beat West Ham 5–1, scoring one goal and setting up three others. On 2 February 2013, Podolski scored the only goal via a deflected free-kick to earn the Gunners a 1–0 victory overStoke City.[36] On 13 April, Podolski sealed a 3–1 win overNorwich City by scoring his first goal since February.[37] After Giroud's three-game ban appeal was rejected,[38] Podolski began playing as a centre forward, starting with the 1–1 draw againstManchester United.[39][40] Podolski then scored twice in a 4–1 victory overWigan Athletic, resulting in Wigan's relegation from the Premier League.[41] Podolski ended his first season in Arsenal with a total of 16 goals and 11 assists.
On 24 August 2013, Podolski netted his first goals of the2013–14 season, scoring twice for Arsenal away atFulham in a 3–1 win.[42] However, he was injured in his next match in theChampions League qualifier againstFenerbahçe and was ruled out for 10 weeks.[43] Podolski returned for Arsenal againstWest Ham United in a 3–1 win on Boxing Day, scoring the team's third goal in the 79th minute.[44] Podolski netted his first two goals in 2014 with a brace in a 4–0 FA Cup fourth round win overCoventry City.[45] He later scored in a 2–1FA Cup win overLiverpool in February to send Arsenal through to the quarter-finals of the competition.[46] Podolski scored two goals in March as he began to feature more regularly in the Gunners starting line-up. His first was a goal against his former club,FC Bayern Munich, in the return leg of theUEFA Champions League last 16 tie. Podolski's goal proved nothing more than a consolation, as Arsenal crashed out of Europe, losing 3–1 on aggregate to the defending champions. His second goal in March was an equaliser againstSwansea City in thePremier League clash. A minute after scoring, Podolski provided an assist for teammate Olivier Giroud, who gave Arsenal a 2–1 lead. However, a last minute own goal byMathieu Flamini meant the game finished 2–2 and effectively ended Arsenal's hopes of lifting the Premier League title for another season.[47] Arsenal qualified for the FA Cup final on 12 April following a win against Wigan, in which Podolski was substituted after 68 minutes. He scored twice in Arsenal's next game, a 3–1 win against West Ham United at theEmirates Stadium and followed that display up with another brace in Arsenal's next game, a 3–0 win away toHull City. He started in the2014 FA Cup Final againstHull City and left the pitch forYaya Sanogo after 61 minutes as Hull led Arsenal 1–2. Arsenal went on to win the game 3–2 after extra time, thereby ending the club's nine-year trophy drought.[48]
In November, Podolski spoke about his unrest with his current role with Arsenal and his lack of game time, saying: "Of course I am not happy with my situation right now. I can't be satisfied with that. It is hard when you can't do what you love."[50]
On 5 January 2015, Arsenal announced that Podolski had completed a move toSerie A clubInter Milan on loan for the remainder of the2014–15 season.[51] He joined the side for training after the deal was finalised ahead of their league match away toJuventus on 6 January.[52] In the 1–1 draw at theJuventus Stadium, he came on as a substitute forZdravko Kuzmanović after 54 minutes.[53] Podolski was not named in Inter's squad list for the knockout stages of theUEFA Europa League with coach Roberto Mancini preferringXherdan Shaqiri over the German international.[54] On 28 April 2015, Podolski scored his only goal with Inter to win the match 2–1 in the 65th minute againstUdinese.[55]
Podolski signed a three-year contract with Turkish clubGalatasaray on 4 July 2015 for an initial fee of £1.8 million, after which theSüper Lig champions will pay Arsenal £2.1 million for three consecutive seasons thereafter.[56][57] He instantly won theTurkish Super Cup.[58] In the final of theTurkish Cup on 26 May 2016, he scored the decisive goal for Galatasaray in the 1–0 win overFenerbahçe.[59]
On 2 March 2017, Podolski announced his transfer to Japanese clubVissel Kobe after the completion of the Turkish season.[60] On 29 July 2017, he played his first match for Vissel Kobe and scored two goals in a 3–1 win overOmiya Ardija in theJ1 League.[61] On 11 August 2018, he assistedAndrés Iniesta's first goal in the J1 League in a 2–1 win overJubilo Iwata.[62]
On 8 December 2019, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 win overJúbilo Iwata.[63] It was his first hat-trick in the J1 League.[63]
On 1 January 2020, Podolski won his first trophy in Japan, starting in Vissel Kobe's 2–0 victory overKashima Antlers in the final of the2019 Emperor's Cup;[64] it was also the club's first ever major trophy.[65]
On 6 July 2021, Podolski was announced by theEkstraklasa clubGórnik Zabrze,[67] having signed a one-year contract that comes with the option of another year,[68] and with the club being probably his last club before retiring, after stating it's his dream to finish his footballing career playing for Górnik.[69] He made his debut on 30 July, coming on as a substitute in a 3–1 league home defeat againstLech Poznań at theArena Zabrze.[70] On 21 November 2021, he scored his first goal for Górnik Zabrze, in theEkstraklasa home fixture againstLegia Warsaw 3–2.[71]
On 19 May 2022, Podolski agreed to a one-year contract extension.[72] Later that year, on 5 November, he scored a goal from inside his own half in a 4–1 away win againstPogoń Szczecin.[73] On 19 May 2023, he extended his Górnik contract until 2025.[74] In May 2025, he signed a one-year contract extension.[75]
In late 2003, after several impressive performances in his first fewBundesliga games, Polish media suggested then-Poland national team coachPaweł Janas should check Podolski out, as he was still eligible to play for Poland. Janas ignored the request stating in one of the press interviews that "as for today we have much better strikers in Poland and I don't see a reason to call up a player just because he played one or two good matches in the Bundesliga. He's not even a regular starter at his club." By that time Podolski was still interested in representingPoland, but as the season progressed German media increasingly highlighted his performances to suggest he should be called up to theGermany national team. When his full potential was finally unveiled, he had already decided to represent Germany. At the end of the season Köln were relegated, but Podolski impressed so much, that he held his debut forRudi Völler's Germany on 6 June 2004, at age 19, inKaiserslautern againstHungary with a late substitute appearance. He had become the first second-division player since 1975 to break into the national team.
Podolski played forGermany atEuro 2004, where he was the squad's youngest player. He made one substitute appearance in the game against theCzech Republic, when he came on forTorsten Frings at half-time.
In aUEFA Euro 2008 qualifying game againstSan Marino inSerravalle Podolski netted four goals in Germany's record 13–0 thrashing. He is one of only four German players to score four goals in an international match. He was the third afterGerd Müller andMichael Ballack, and since this,Mario Gómez has accomplished this feat. In Germany's 4–1 win againstSlovakia inBratislava on 11 October 2006, he scored the first and the last German goal, both on assists by Miroslav Klose. He has continued to score goals at an astonishing rate. On 17 November 2007, in aEuro qualifier match againstCyprus, Podolski was involved in every goal in Germany's 4–0 victory. This was one of Podolski's best performances for the national team. Even though he played out of his natural position, playing at left midfield, he netted one goal himself and was voted Man of the Match.
On 8 June 2008, Podolski made his Euro 2008 entrance against debutantsPoland in aGroup B match inKlagenfurt, Austria. He scored both goals in a 2–0 victory. Heavoided celebrating his goals, however, to show respect for his country of birth. After the game he gave an emotional interview on Polish television. The goals put him in the lead in the Euro 2008 goal-scoring list for two days untilDavid Villa scored a hat-trick forSpain againstRussia.[76]
On 12 June, Germany playedCroatia in their second Group B match, again in Klagenfurt. Podolski scored the German team's only goal of the game in the 79th minute, by which time the Croatians were already leading 2–0. He did not celebrate this goal either despite it putting him joint first on the Euro 2008 goal-scoring list withDavid Villa. Podolski's goal was not enough to snatch a draw, with Croatia holding out for a 2–1 victory over Germany.[77] On 19 June, Germany played Portugal in the quarterfinal inBasel, Podolski was instrumental in the first goal, whipping a cross into the penalty box that was slotted home byBastian Schweinsteiger in the 22nd minute to give Germany a 1–0 lead.
On the international scene, Podolski seemed to be gravitating towards an attacking left midfield role from his traditional place as a striker. Initially, Löw had moved him to the wing in order to accommodate the partnership of Klose andMario Gómez up front. When this backfired, he resumed his forward position in theUEFA Euro 2008 Final, but was unable to prevent Germany losing 1–0 toSpain. In a controversial incident, Podolski was headbutted by Spanish midfielderDavid Silva, although this went unnoticed by the referee and his assistants, and went unpenalised.[78] Podolski was named in the 23-man squad as one of the players of the tournament along with countrymenMichael Ballack andPhilipp Lahm.
On 6 September 2008, Podolski scored the opening two goals in Germany's first2010 World Cup qualifier againstLiechtenstein inVaduz; a match that ended in a 6–0 victory for the Germans. He scored the opener in the 2–1 home win overRussia on 11 October, when he turnedVasili Berezutski on the edge of the penalty area, before unleashing a powerful shot past Russia's goalkeeperAkinfeev. He finished the qualification campaign second highest scorer ofGroup 4 with six goals, behind teammate Miroslav Klose's 7. During one of the qualifying matches, he was involved in a bust-up with team captain Michael Ballack.
On 13 June 2010, Podolski, who had become accustomed to his position as a winger scored the first goal in Germany's World Cup opening game in a 4–0 win against Australia, before assisting teammateThomas Müller for the third goal. On 18 June, Podolski missed a second-half penalty after a handling infraction committed byNemanja Vidić in the 1–0 loss to Serbia. The German team had gone down to 10-men after a second yellow was shown to Miroslav Klose in the 36th minute. Even though the Germans played with 10-men throughout the rest of the game, Podolski had numerous chances on goal. However, he was unable to capitalize, and the game ended in a surprise defeat for the Germans. However, he managed to score againstEngland in the last 16, giving Germany a 2–0 advantage in the first half. They went on to beat England 4–1.[79] In the quarter-final againstArgentina, Podolski provided the assist for the first of Klose's two goals, bringing the score to 2–0. The Germans won the match 4–0.[80]
Duringqualification, Podolski provided assists for three goals and scored three times, helping Germany to win all ten matches of their qualification campaign. DuringEuro 2012, Podolski started all three of Germany's Group B games, the third being his 100th appearance for Germany; a game in which he also scored. Podolski's last game at Euro 2012 was the successfulItaly national team in the semi-finals against Germany, 2–1.
Podolski was part of Germany's2014 World Cup campaign. Prior to the tournament, he played in five qualification matches. In the World Cup finals in Brazil, he appeared in the victories over USA and Portugal in the group stages, but did not play the full 90 minutes.[81] Germany went on to become World Champions.
Podolski was included in the squad forUEFA Euro 2016. He made a substitute appearance againstSlovakia during the tournament. After the tournament, on 15 August, he announced his retirement from international football (effective 23 March 2017) saying he wants to shift his focus and spend more time with his family.[82] He was given his last ever international appearance for Germany againstEngland on 22 March 2017 where he scored the winning goal.[83][84]
Podolski possesses an explosive and accurate shot, reaching speeds of nearly 160 km/h (99 mph).[85] Arsene Wenger described Podolski saying "He's certainly one of the best finishers I've ever seen...If there's one you want to see in front of the goal in a shooting position, it's him".[86] In his early years, Podolski possessed explosive speed with great acceleration which was later affected by some lengthy injuries. He usually cuts inside either to shoot or pass the ball. Podolski is a physically strong player able to hold up the ball and produce key passes. Podolski has good dribbling and technical skills and is also a good crosser of the ball having set up many goals for his teammates from the left side. He is a penalty specialist, having missed only two penalties in his career.
Podolski with children fromArka Fundacja Dzieci inWarsaw, June 2015
Podolski is the founder of the Lukas Podolski Foundation for Sport and Education (Lukas Podolski Stiftung für Sport und Bildung), whose objectives are to provide opportunities for socially disadvantaged children and youth, combat child poverty, and advance social inclusion, integration, and international understanding.[136]
He is also an ambassador of the Christian Children's Fund the Ark (Die Arche).[137] One of his projects is a community day care centre for children located in a distressed part ofPraga-Północ district inWarsaw, Poland, opened in 2014. The facility is run byArka Fundacja Dzieci sponsored by Podolski's foundation.[138]
Podolski previously possesseddual German and Polish citizenship but has stated that he relinquished hisPolish passport.[142][143][144] In an interview Podolski said that thePolish Football Association never cared about him until he started playing for theGerman under-21 team and received coverage in the media. At that point, Podolski had already decided to play for Germany, but nevertheless "there are two hearts beating" in his chest.[142] Podolski speaks Polish and sometimes communicated withBayern Munich andGermany strike partnerMiroslav Klose, also a Polish-bornAussiedler, in Polish to hinder their opposition's understanding of their conversation.[145] Podolski is a fan ofKS Górnik Zabrze, a football team based 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from his place of birth.[146]
In April 2011, Podolski married his longtime girlfriend Monika Puchalska inCologne, Germany.[147] They had a church wedding inKamionna, Węgrów County, Poland in June 2011.[148] They have a son born 14 April 2008,[149][150] a daughter, born 6 June 2016,[151] and a third child. They currently reside in Katowice, Poland, where Podolski owns an apartment in the Pierwsza Dzielnica neighborhood.[152]
Podolski owns an ice cream parlour and akebab shop in Cologne.[153]
^"イニエスタ、磐田戦でJリーグ初ゴール！ 主将ポドルスキが得点を演出" [Iniesta, first J-League goal in the Jubilo Iwata match! Captain Podolski sets up the goal.]. SOCCERKING. 11 August 2018. Retrieved2 January 2020.
^ab"Ｊ１神戸 ポドルスキが来日初ハット 逆転残留へアピール「話があれば前向きに」" [J1 Kobe: Podolski's first hat-trick in Japan appeals for comeback to avoid relegation – "If there's talk, I'm positive."].Daily Sports online. Daily Sports. 8 December 2019. Retrieved8 December 2019.
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