Marcell Jansen hangs up his boots at 29

After being released by Hamburg at the end of last season, former Germany international Marcell Jansen has decided to end his football career at the age of just 29.

"I thought about it on holiday. There were a lot of good offers but for me carrying on is not an option," Jansen told German newspaper Bild on Wednesday. "I am fit, can move on a free transfer, could still earn good money but I prefer to renounce the money."

Jansen, who predominantly played left back during his career, said after playing for three Bundesliga clubs that he did not want to join another club if he wasn't fully behind the move. "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." That wouldn't be right. I am myself too much of a fan for that."

Model pro with feet on the ground

Current Germany Head Coach Joachim Löw said he respected Jansen's decision. "Marcell was part of the national team for many years and stood for dynamism, commitment and passion," said Löw. "I was impressed how quickly he again fitted in with us in the summer of 2013 after a long injury break. It was all the more regrettable that he couldn't make it to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after suffering an anterior ligament tear playing against Chile in March 2014."

Jansen played 45 times for Germany and was a member of the 2006 and 2010 World Cup squads, as well as the Euro 2008 squad. He made his international debut when he was playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2005. Before he joined Hamburg, Jansen won the Bundesliga and the German Cup with Bayern Munich in 2008. Jansen's career had stuttered in recent years due to injuries, and he made just 11 appearances for Hamburg last season. His last match for Germany was in a 1-0 defeat of Chile in March last year.

Jansen said he had some projects in mind: "A start-up for example. I have dreamt of it and now I can put it into practice. I'm really excited about it," said Jansen, who said he was fortunate to be able to make a decision early enough after having "earned good money in the Bundesliga for 11 years." Whatever he does, the former left-footed player said he was looking forward to getting his hobby (football) back again.

jh/ (dpa, SID)