Last year, Arminia Bielefeld were relegated to the 3rd division. Now the departure of a club legend is imminent. Fabian Klos is calling it quits.
Fabian Klos is ending his active career as a footballer in the summer after 15 years. The 36-year-old striker made the announcement on Friday.
In the summer, Klos will have spent 13 years with Arminia. During this time, he has played a record 444 games (59 in the Bundesliga, 221 in the Bundesliga 2 and 121 in the Bundesliga 3) and scored a record 178 goals for the East Westphalians.
“Some decisions can’t simply be made overnight. Often it’s just a feeling at the beginning that evaporates or is confirmed over time. And even if a big decision feels absolutely right, it’s still difficult to make in the end. That’s roughly how I’ve been thinking over the past few months,” said Klos in a statement explaining his decision.
The three-time top scorer (2012/13, 14/15 in the 3rd division and 19/20 in the 2nd Bundesliga) is “proud to be able to say that I will never again wear a jersey other than that of Deutscher Sportclub in my career! Because this career, with all its ups and downs, will end this summer.”
The decision was anything but easy for Klos, but the timing feels “right”: “There will be enough time for farewell words, emotions and probably tears in May. Until then, I am simply looking forward to continuing to be part of this club and this team and hope to share many great moments with you all! My lifeblood is blue and always will be! Your Fabi”
Will Klos stay with Arminia Bielefeld?
“Since my first day in Bielefeld, I have been able to experience first-hand what Fabian means to Arminia and also what Arminia means to Fabian,” said sporting director Michael Mutzel, emphasizing: “His sporting and human merits are outstanding and I am glad that we can count on him in this challenging year. His reasons for starting a new chapter in his life from the summer are understandable and to be respected. I wish him all the best.”
However, while Klos will no longer be available to Arminia Bielefeld, he could remain with the club. Mutzel: “Of course, he is always welcome in our dressing room even after his active playing career.”
DSC managing director Christoph Wortmann emphasized how rare it is in German professional soccer to play for the same club for 13 years. Fabian Klos is an “Armine from head to toe”, “an outstanding person and a great popular figure for Arminia Bielefeld. His commitment off the pitch was and is also exceptional. He has very often given our club positive impetus, especially in difficult times. Fabian Klos always stood and still stands by Arminia. Our thanks for this cannot be big enough.”
Head coach Mitch Kniat also expressed his appreciation: “Fabi is a top performer, a person of respect and a great captain. It gives me great pleasure to work with him every day and, above all, to have a trusting exchange on many topics. Fabi is and remains a player who has shaped Arminia in an impressive way. Our goal now is to experience many more positive moments as a team, because Fabi will still be wearing our shirt and lacing up his soccer boots for Arminia for several more months.”
Klos moved from VfL Wolfsburg II to Arminia Bielefeld in the summer of 2011