Christian Fuchs retires seven years on from Leicester’s Premier League heroics in 2015-2016

Christian Fuchs has announced his retirement, wrapping up a 19-year career, which includes winning a Premier League medal in 2015-16 while being a part of Leicester City‘s incredible title run.

The 36-year-old Austrian was playing in the US for Charlotte FC last season after his departure from the Foxes at the end of the 2020-2021 Premier League campaign. 

He’ll forever be remembered as Leicester’s starting left back from seven years ago when the club was 5,000-1 favorites to be crowned champions in May of that year under then-boss Claudio Ranieri. Additional career achievements include a 2020-21 FA Cup medal with Leicester and the 2011 DFL-Super Cup with FC Schalke 04.  

Christian Fuchs, 36, is calling time on his career after a season for new MLS side Charlotte FC

Fuchs will always be known for being a part of Leicester City’s 2015-16 Premier League title run

Fuchs will now hang his cleats to take on an expanded, non-playing role in Charlotte, having joined the club for its inaugural MLS season in 2022.

‘It has been an incredible journey for me and my family,’ said the former Austria captain. ‘Not only did we celebrate great success throughout the years, but we have also been able to learn from amazing people during this journey.

‘I am so thankful for all the support that I’ve 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.’ 

The ex-Austria captain (far left) also won the FA Cup with the Foxes last year before leaving

In his sole season with Charlotte FC, Fuchs captained the first-year side to a ninth-placed Eastern Conference finish, two seeds under the last playoff spot (seventh) in the table.

‘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.’ 

Fuchs came through the ranks of Austrian minnows Wiener Neustadt before making his top-flight debut as a teen for SV Mattersburg in the Austrian Bundesliga. He then moved to Germany at age 22 to play in the Bundesliga, first for Vfl Bochum for two years before being loaned out to FSV Mainz 05, guiding the club to a top-five finish. 

Fuchs then sealed a permanent transfer to FC Schalke 04 before plying his trade in England and in the US, where he made 136 appearances for Die Knappen, in the Champions League. 

Fuchs will take on a non-playing role in Charlotte after playing in the club’s inagural season