Former Borussia Dortmund defender Ömer Toprak announces retirement from football

Former Borussia Dortmund centre-back Ömer Toprak has called time on his professional playing career that spanned a total of 16 years.

Ömer Toprak spent three years at Borussia Dortmund - one of four Bundesliga clubs he represented over the course of his career. Now at the age of 35, the former Türkiye international has decided to hang up his boots.

Toprak, who last played for Turkish side Antalyaspor, announced his decision to retire with a post on Instagram and said that he is proud to have lived his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

"Proud to have lived my dream" - Ömer Toprak calls time on playing career

"After 16 years, I'm ending my career with a smile and a tear in my eye," Toprak wrote. "There were many victories and many defeats. So many friendships have been made along the way. I'm infinitely grateful for that. I am proud to have lived my dream and I am enormously grateful to football, my clubs, my teammates and fans for everything."

Toprak began his career at SC Freiburg before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in 2011. After six years in Leverkusen, the defender made the switch to Borussia Dortmund.

The defender made a total of 51 appearances for the Black and Yellows and helped the club win the DFL-Supercup in 2019. Injuries often hampered Toprak during his time at BVB, and he then moved to Werder Bremen on an initial loan deal in 2019.

Reflecting on his time at Borussia Dortmund, Toprak wrote, "The yellow wall, goosebumps in the greatest stadium in the Bundesliga, maybe even in the world."

In total, Ömer Toprak made 263 appearances in the Bundesliga and also played in 39 games in the UEFA Champions League.

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