No retirement: former Dortmund man Axel Witsel finds new club | OneFootball

He just keeps going. Axel Witsel seems ageless. Yet the number 37 shines from his passport. Still, the former Borussia Dortmund pro is not thinking about retirement. After his departure from Girona, the Belgian has chosen a new club.

By the age of 37, many footballers have long since hung up their boots. Some work as TV pundits or indulge their passion in the lower leagues. Niklas Süle (30), for example, recently made his debut in the Kreisliga for SV Tiefenbach. Although the former Germany international scored with a header, it ended in a heavy 2-7 (0-3) defeat after 90 minutes.

The man with the distinctive curly hair is not being drawn to the provinces — at least not this coming season. According to information from the renowned French sports daily L’Équipe, the versatile defensive player is joining OGC Nice. The report says that the player and the club have reached an agreement in principle on a one-year contract with an option for another.

Last season, the “Aiglons” only secured their survival in the relegation playoff against AS Saint-Étienne. Witsel has been chosen to support young midfielders such as Djibril Coulibaly (17) and Everton (19) with his experience and team-first mentality.

Cup win with BVB

Between 2018 and 2022, Witsel made a total of 145 appearances for BVB. He scored 13 goals and provided six assists. He was part of the Dortmund squad that won the DFB-Pokal in 2021. However, he did not feature in the 4-1 final win over RB Leipzig due to a torn Achilles tendon.

Only Jan Vertonghen (39) has made more international appearances for Belgium than the former Dortmund man. At the last World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA, Witsel earned caps number 139 and 140 for the “Red Devils”.

Photo: IMAGO

Even though the 37-year-old is still chasing the ball, he is already planning for life after his career ends. In Awans, Witsel recently founded his own real estate company called “Immo 28,” according to Belgian broadcaster BRF. The name has a personal background: apart from his time at Girona and Atlético Madrid, he has worn the number 28 throughout his professional career.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.