By Chris Wright
Former Germany international Marcell Jansen has announced his early retirement today, aged just 29 – not through injury, but through nothing but sheer loyalty to the team that released him at the end of the season, Hamburger SV.
Jansen spent 14 years at Borussia Monchengladbach as a youth before moving on to Bayern Munich for a single, largely unremarkable season in 2007/08.
He then joined Hamburg in the summer of 2008 and went on to make over 200 appearances for the club before being released at the end of last season when the club decided against offering him a contract extension.
However, rather than finding himself a new club, Jansen has announced he is ditching football entirely as he can’t bear the thought of wearing any other shirt than that of his beloved HSV.
Announcing his shock retirement, Jansen told Bild:
“In the last few years I was very emotionally tied to HSV. I will continue to live in Hamburg and will always love this club. Gladbach, of course, as well.
“But now some new club? No, I don’t want to lie or deceive some other club or fans when I am no longer fully behind it.”
“I can’t just suddenly kiss another badge now”
Amazing, in the truest sense of the word – and astoundingly honest. Loyalty above all, however detrimental.
Here’s wishing Jansen luck in all his future endeavours, whatever they may be.