FK Austria Wien captain Verena Volkmer to retire in the summer | OneFootball

FK Austria Wien have announced that captain Verena Volkmer will end her career in the summer after three years with the Violets.

Volkmer moved from Germany to Vienna-Favoriten in the summer of 2022. She has had an extremely successful period at the club, scoring 41 goals in 58 games. During the 2023/24 season, she was crowned top scorer in the ADMIRAL Women’s Bundesliga.

The Violets’ captain was, and still is, very committed off the pitch. Volkmer visits numerous schools in Vienna and the surrounding area as part of the Austria ‘ist Klasse’ initiative. The goal here is to bring children and especially young girls closer to football.

Last summer, after signing a contract extension, Volkmer announced: “I’m not done here yet! I am convinced that we can achieve great things with our quality and our fans.”

Volkmer has the chance to end her career on an ultimate high as the Violets are second in the league. Sitting just behind serial champion St. Pölten, Austria Wien also have the chance to reach the final in the SPORTLAND Lower Austria Women’s Cup.

The club have announced that following her retirement, Volker will move back to her home town of Bremen. Here, she will pursue a second career as a lawyer after successfully completing her law studies alongside her footballing journey.

©Raimund Nics

“It felt like home despite the distance”

When speaking on her decision to hang up her boots, Volker said: “I always had in mind that I wouldn’t play much longer than my 30th birthday. Already in the summer there were thoughts that this could be my last season and the final decision was made during the winter break. I’ve been able to experience an incredible number of great moments here in the last three years.

“The absolute highlight was the cup final last year in front of so many fans, it was just pure goosebumps and I hope that we can experience it again this year — that is our big goal and we will give everything for it.

“The first game here in the Generali Arena was also something very special, or celebrating together with our people in front of the full East Stand in the autumn, that was really cool. I always had the feeling that I was welcome here, that everyone was happy that I was here and that I could be here as I am. It felt like home despite the distance.”

Sporting director Lisa Makas added: “Verena is not only an extraordinary player, but also an extraordinary person. She has an incredible charisma and the gift of motivating everyone around her. After her move to Austria, she has developed into an absolute leader. Her decision to end her career is an incredible shame for us, but of course we are fully behind Verena and as a club we will do everything we can to end the season together with her as successfully as possible. Austria Wien and the entire league will lose a player with great quality in the summer. We wish her all the best for her future and welcome her as a true Austrian at any time in the future.”

Related articles from Her Football Hub: