🚨 Three-time referee of the year Aytekin announces retirement | OneFootball

Deniz Aytekin has taken to the field as a referee in the Bundesliga 241 times. Add to that numerous international assignments and his three-time selection as German Referee of the Year: 2018/2019, 2021/2022, 2023/2024. Without a doubt, the 47-year-old is one of the best referees that German football has seen in recent decades.

All the more bitter: Aytekin will end his active career next summer. The referee confirmed this to 'kicker': "Consciously letting go of something you love is not an easy decision - but a very considered one. I want to stop at a stage where I still stand on the field with full conviction, passion and clarity," explained Aytekin, who also wants to consciously make room for young referees.

In addition to the 47-year-old, Tobias Welz (48) and Frank Willenborg (46) will also end their active careers as Bundesliga referees after the coming season.

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

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