Former Polish international Grzegorz Krechowiak officially announced his retirement on Monday, ending a 15-year career.

"It's time for a new challenge," he wrote on social media. "Football has not only shaped me as a player, but also as a person."

"I'm a very satisfied player - I have no regrets and wouldn't change anything. I accept everything that has happened in my career: the moments of joy and success, but also the difficult ones that taught me a lot."

"I sincerely thank all the fans who have stood by me through thick and thin, all the players who have fought alongside me, and everyone else who has supported me along the way."

"Thank you to my family and my loving wife - without you, none of this would mean anything."

"Football is worth playing..."

The 35-year-old Krechowiak came through the Bordeaux youth system and made his professional debut for Reims on November 27, 2009. One of Poland's most iconic defensive midfielders, he has played for Bordeaux, Reims, Nantes, Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain, West Bromwich Albion, Lokomotiv Moscow, Krasnodar, AEK Athens, Young Boys Al Riyadh, Abha, Anorthosis, and RKS Mazur, making 520 appearances, scoring 61 goals and providing 36 assists. He also won two Europa League titles, one French Cup, one French League Cup, two Russian Cups, and one Russian Super Cup.

Krechowiak also excelled at the national team level. He represented Poland internationally from December 2008 until his retirement from international football on September 10, 2023. During this time, he made 100 appearances for Poland, scoring five goals and providing six assists.