Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has announced that he will retire from football after representing Germany at Euro 2024 this summer.
The 34-year-old will see his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expire at the end of June and has been in discussions over a proposed new deal with Real Madrid in recent months.
However, Kroos has decided to call time on his illustrious career and will hang up his boots following the conclusion of this summer's Euros held in his native Germany.
Kroos, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, will play his final game for Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium on June 1.
The midfielder took to Instagram to confirm his departure from Los Blancos and retirement plans, saying: "After 10 years, at the end of the season this chapter comes to an end. I will never forget that insolent successful time!
"I would particularly like to thank everyone that welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me. But especially I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first day until the last one.
"At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship. As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club.
"I am happy and proud, that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it by my own.
"My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level. From now on there is only one leading thought: a por la 15!!! HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS!"
A statement from Real Madrid on their official website read: "Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and affection to Toni Kroos, a player who will go down in Real Madrid history as one of our club and international football's greatest legends.
"Toni Kroos will remain forever in the hearts of every Madridista thanks to his mastery of the game and the fact he has given his all for our jersey, a steady example of the values of Real Madrid.
"Real Madrid wishes he and his family the best of luck in this new chapter of his life."
Los Blancos president Florentino Perez added: "Toni Kroos is one of the great players in Real Madrid history and this club will always be his home."
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Across his illustrious 17-year club career, Kroos has made over 700 appearances and has won 31 trophies as well as a host of individual accolades, most notably the German Player of the Year in 2014 - a World Cup-winning year - and German Footballer of the Year in 2018.
Kroos began his professional career with German giants Bayern Munich in 2007 and made a total of 205 appearances for the club in all competitions, contributing with 24 goals and 49 assists.
The midfielder, who also spent the 2009-10 season on loan a Bayern Leverkusen, won three Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals and one Champions League at Bayern before making the move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2014 after winning the World Cup with Germany.
During his memorable 10-year stay at the Bernabeu, Kroos has registered 28 goals and 98 assists in 463 appearances and has won 22 trophies, lifting four Champions Leagues, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and four Spanish Super Cups.
Kroos helped Carlo Ancelotti's side win the La Liga title this season and is hoping to end his time at the club on a high by lifting another Champions League trophy at the start of June.
The midfielder has also been capped 108 times by Germany to date, and was persuaded to come out of international retirement by head coach Julian Nagelsmann for Euro 2024, where he will eventually make his final appearance.
Oliver Thomas
