We're talking about a legend, a proper icon, a man who bleeds the colors of 1. FC Köln. Lukas Podolski, yeah? The man's a force of nature, a whirlwind of skill and passion, and he's about to say goodbye to the RheinEnergieSTADION in a way that'll make your heart swell and your eyes water.
See, this ain't just a game, it's a celebration. A "Thank You" match, they call it, and it's gonna be packed with all the big names: the old boys, the current squad, even some of his mates from back home in Poland. It's going to be a right knees-up, a proper send-off for a true footballing hero.
And to mark the occasion, 1. FC Köln and hummel, the kit makers, have cooked up something special. A jersey, see, a limited edition one, called the LP10. It's a nod to Podolski's first home game for the club back in 2003 when he was just a young lad—18 years old, full of fire, and ready to take on the world.
This jersey, it's a work of art, innit? White, like the classic Köln kit, but with those fiery red accents—like a burst of passion across the shoulders, the sides, the collar, and the cuffs. And then there's the badge on the right sleeve, a lenticular one, so it changes depending on how you look at it. One minute, it's the LP10 logo, the next it's the Cologne coat of arms. Proper clever, innit?
Podolski himself, he's chuffed to bits, obviously. "Danke Köln. Danke FC. Danke fans," Podolski said. "What is inside the collar is at the heart of the idea behind the kit. I want to thank the city and the fans with this one-of-a-kind kit, as well as my hometown club, FC. The majority of the proceeds from the kit will go to the club. I want to use my share to support a concrete FC project with a donation."
See, that's the thing about Podolski. He's not just a footballer, he's a proper gent. He cares about the club, he cares about the fans, and he wants to give something back.
This match, this jersey, it's more than just a game, it's a testament to a career, a legacy, a love affair between a man and his club. It's a story that deserves to be told, a story that deserves to be celebrated. So mark your calendars, fam—October 10th, RheinEnergieSTADION. Be there or be square. You don't want to miss this.