Former Arsenal star looks unrecognisable after a trip down a COAL MINE – just days after waving a tearful farewell to football

A former Arsenal and Germany star looked unrecognisable, posing for a picture posted on their Instagram account.

The forward in question recently hung up their boots for good after a storied career at the top of the game, having led the line at some of the biggest clubs in Europe for 21 years. 

Among the honours in the player’s bulging trophy cabinet are winners-medals from the German top-flight, FA Cup, World Cup and titles from Japan and Turkey – the true marks of a successful journeyman career. 

But it all came to a close earlier in October, when the striker was reduced to tears bidding farewell to the game in the city where it all began, after a testimonial in the German town of Koln. 

On Wednesday, Lukas Podolski showed fans that he has been keeping busy, however, posting from a mine in Bielszowice, Poland, with the caption: ‘God bless you!’ and the hashtag ‘never forget where you come from’.

Podolski waved a tear-streaked goodbye to Koln fans in Germany earlier in October

Podolski owns more than 30 restaurants as part of his lucrative business empire 

Perhaps it is the hardhat, yellow boots and matching jacket that threw fans off, but the forward was scarcely recognisable from the prime of his career. 

Like many footballers in the modern era, Podolski has already laid the groundwork for a successful life beyond football. 

The Polish-born forward has established his own kebab business empire with more than 30 restaurants to his name – including one in Koln’s Bonn airport – and has a net worth of around £180million.

‘I grew up eating kebabs,’ he told Mail Sport’s Nik Simon over the summer.

‘They’re famous here. I started this business six years ago and we want to make it big. I’m not living to just train, sleep and watch Netflix. 

‘These days, nobody wants to work. Everyone dreams of becoming a social media star or a YouTuber. That’s why more and more bakeries are closing. Nobody wants to get up in the morning and do the dirty work.’

Fast forward to October, and Podolski bid an emotional farewell to football, having conquered the world with Germany and featured at giants such as Arsenal and Bayern Munich during his stellar career. 

Emotions ran high at his testimonial at Koln, whose youth ranks he had joined in 2003, and where he made 81 appearances before making his first big move to Bayern Munich. 

After stints at Cologne and Bayern Munich, Podolski (pictured centre) joined Arsenal in 2012

A World Cup winner with Germany in 2010, Podolski earned 130 senior caps for his country

After scoring for both Team Poldi and a Koln XI on the farewell evening, the forward then took the microphone to deliver a goodbye speech which saw the player pledge his lifelong allegiance to the side. 

‘It’s over on the pitch now, but we’ll definitely see each other again off the pitch – whether in the stands or on the road,’ Podolski told the 50,000-strong crowd. ‘Once a Koln fan, always a Koln fan.

‘It really touches me that so many fans would like to come to enjoy this special evening with me. It is an honour for me to wear the Billygoat on my chest once more in front of a full house.

‘It’s a final declaration of love for this special city, the club with its fantastic fans, my team-mates for so many years and other people who have accompanied my path.’