Former Arsenal star now owns restaurant chain and ice cream brand worth staggering £177m in his native Germany

Former Arsenal star Lukas Podolski is worth £177.5 million after building his own business empire.

The 38-year-old forward scored 31 goals in 82 appearances for the Gunners after joining from Cologne in 2012.

He is now playing for Gornik Zabrze in the Polish top-flight after stints at Turkish club Galatasaray and Japanese club Vissel Kobe.

But it is off the pitch where Podolski is now enjoying success.

He has built up a business portfolio including a chain of kebab shops and an ice cream brand in his native Germany

Podolski has built up a business empire including a chain of kebab shops and ice cream brand

Podolski told German magazine 11 Freunde: ‘Other folks head to the golfing course after training, and just hang around there all-day long. I sell ice cream, Kebab and clothing, have fun and everyone can take something home.

‘I back this project 100%, and will help where I can help. I want to continue developing this project. I always put my foot to the floor!’

So basically the man with 130 Germany caps to his name and a World Cup winners medal is happy to serve Kebabs along with the rest of his colleagues.

I’ve got to be honest lie I’ve been googling things to do in Cologne just to make my trip worthwhile, who doesn’t want a Podolski Kebab?!’

Podolski first launched his dessert brand Ice Cream United in 2017, two years after leaving Arsenal.

The business was founded in the Belgian district of Cologne, the home of Podolski’s first professional club.

A year later, his first Mangal Doner kebab shop opened in the city and now consists of around 30 branches across Germany.

His business acumen has seen him raise his net worth to a reported £177.5million.

That figure includes his career earnings as a player.