The former national player Andreas Beck has ended his football career. He last played in Belgium.

Nine-time international footballer Andreas Beck is ending his career. He is leaving “not with one crying eye, but with two laughing eyes”, the 35-year-old announced on social media on Monday. He can look back on an “incredibly intense and emotional time”, the defender wrote. “All the unforgettable moments and experiences were the result of a very extraordinary journey for which I am just very grateful.” The ex-Bundesliga professional initially left open what he plans for the future.

Born in Kemerovo, Russia, Beck became European champion in 2009 with the German U21 national team, played nine senior internationals for Germany and a total of 290 games in the Bundesliga. In 2007, he became German champion with VfB Stuttgart, after which he captained TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for several years. Beck won two league titles in Turkey with Besiktas Istanbul before returning to Stuttgart in 2017. Most recently, the full-back played for Belgian club KAS Eupen.