Podolski

Lukas Podolski, commonly known as Podolski, is a German former professional footballer who played as a forward. Born on June 4, 1985, in Gliwice, Poland, he moved to Germany with his family as a child. He developed at 1. FC Köln, making his first-team debut in 2003 and quickly establishing himself as a leading Bundesliga scorer. His pace, strength and left-footed finishing made him a valued asset for both club and country.

Podolski spent the early part of his career with Köln before joining Bayern Munich in 2006, where he remained for six seasons and helped the club win several domestic titles. In 2012 he signed for Arsenal in the English Premier League, contributing important goals and assists. In 2015 he moved to Galatasaray in Turkey, and later joined Vissel Kobe in Japan, continuing his club career across multiple continents. He was known for versatility, often deployed as a central forward or winger.

Internationally, Podolski made his Germany debut in 2004 and earned more than 100 caps, scoring nearly 50 goals. He represented Germany at multiple major tournaments, including the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and was part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. His international record contributed to Germany’s standing as a consistent force in world football during that era.

Podolski is of Polish origin but represented Germany at the international level. He is recognized for his left-footed finishing and physical style, and his career abroad in Germany, England, Turkey and Japan contributed to his status as one of Germany’s notable forwards of his generation.