LUKAS PODOLSKI is worth £180million and is set to launch a clothing brand with his former club FC Koln.
The ex-Arsenal forward’s portfolio also includes a chain of kebab shops and an ice cream brand in his native Germany.
Podolski previously spent three years with the Gunners, winning the FA Cup in 2014.
The 38-year-old launched Ice Cream United in 2017, two years after leaving Arsenal.
A year later, his first Mangal Doner kebab shop opened in the city and now consists of around 30 branches across Germany.
The business mogul has even been active in the fashion industry and has his own streetwear brand “Strabenkicker”.
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And now Podolski has reunited with his boyhood club Koln to launch their own clothing line.
According to German outlet BILD the idea has already been discussed with sponsors with plans to create streetwear designs inspired by Poldolski existing brand.
Poldolski not only knows his stuff about fashion but being a club legend will attract top sales in the Koln store – like with his jersey in the past.
He said: “We exchanged ideas, I think that was very nice. If things continue like this, I can well imagine helping FC in a position closer to the club than before.”
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The 2014 World Cup winner spent six years at Koln over two spells the first from 2003-2006 then 2009-2012.
During this time made 181 appearances and scored 86 goals while winning the FIFIA World Cup Best Young Player award in 2006 when representing Germany.
The Cologne based club are also reported to in talks with their former forward about as a club ambassador.
Meaning the German could be juggling two major roles while still playing at Polish giants Gornik Zabrze’s as his contract runs until 2025.
And he will not be short of cash as his entrepreneurship has seen his net worth raise to a reported £177.5million.
That figure includes his career earnings as a player, with Podolski one of Arsenal’s highest paid players during his time at the club.
According to Capology, the ex-Germany international had £100,000-per-week wages at the Emirates Stadium.
Podolski is not the richest ex-Arsenal star as Mathieu Flamini is worth £10billion
To many fans suprise being worth £180million does not make you the richest ex-Gunner.
Methieu Flamini billion pound chemical company, ‘GF Biochemicals’ has turned the former midfielder into one the richest people in the world, as he is now reportedly worth £10billion.
In an attempt to revolutionise the energy industry back in 2008 shortly after his exit from Arsenal Flamini co-founded the company with his economics graduate business partner, Pasquale Granata.
Nearly 16 years after it was set up, the company is estimated to be worth £21 billion.
This is 40 times more than Cristiano Ronaldo’s £500 million net worth.
The company has succeeded in a major way thanks to its ability to mass-produce levulinic acid – a fuel made from plant waste that can be used in the creation of plastics.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
