TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Retirement
Christian Fuchs announced his retirement from professional soccer on Thursday, concluding an outstanding 19-year career. He'll continue with Charlotte FC as an assistant coach on Christian Lattanzio’s staff.
The 36-year-old defender made 577 total club appearances, spending the bulk of his time in the German Bundesliga and English Premier League before joining CLTFC for their inaugural MLS season in 2022.
He'll forever be known for the 2015-16 EPL title he won with Leicester City, who were 5000-to-1 longshots heading into the season. Additional career highlights include 78 career appearances for Austria and captaining his homeland at the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament.
“It has been an incredible journey for me and my family. Not only did we celebrate great success throughout the years, but we have also been able to learn from amazing people during this journey,” said Fuchs in an official statement.
“I am so thankful for all the support I received during my career from club representatives, my teammates, and the fans. I am looking back with a big smile on the special moments I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
In his one season with Charlotte, Fuchs captained the expansion club to a ninth-place Eastern Conference finish, helping keep them in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs hunt. He made 26 regular-season appearances, tallying 3g/1a. The club declined his contract option following the 2022 season.
“Christian is leaving behind an incredible legacy both on and off the field, and his impressive 19-year career speaks for itself,” said Charlotte FC sporting director Zoran Krneta. “We are thankful to have had a player of his caliber lead our locker room as captain to build a positive, winning culture in our inaugural season.
"He was important for us with his performances on the field, but more importantly he has helped lay a critical foundation that will help this club be successful for many years to come.”
The Austrian defender made his top-flight debut as a teenager for SV Mattersburg in the Austrian Bundesliga. At age 22, he took the leap to the German Bundesliga, signing with VFL Bochum. He also played for FSV Mainz 05 and FC Schalke 04 in Germany.
Fuchs currently holds his UEFA B Coaching License and is in the process of earning his UEFA A Coaching License.
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