DSC Arminia Bielefeld (Photo: © CPD Football)
DSC Arminia Bielefeld club legend Fabian Klos is set to bid farewell to the Bundesliga side at the end of the on-going 2021/22 season. The 34-year-old striker has informed the club management about his decision to leave the Bundesliga club after eleven successful years. Klos has played 383 matches for Bielefeld to date, while scoring 162 goals.
“I’ve reflected about about my personal future in the recent weeks and months. Everyone knows that this club and this city lie close to my heart. It will never change. Nevertheless, I’ve made my mind not to extend my contract which is running out this summer. The decision is based on sporting and private reasons. It is a tough one, but it is the right (decision) at this point in time,” said Klos, who is the Arminia Bielefeld’s all-time record goal scorer.
“We would like to thank and show respect to Fabian Klos for not only his excellent performances, his passionate commitment for our colors and his eleven year long loyalty to the club which is not an obviousness nowadays,” said Samir Arabi, Managing Director (Sports) at DSC Arminia Bielefeld. “We have great respect for his personal decision, which ensures timely clarity, ease and safety for the club and himself for the run-in.”
Klos was one of Arabi’s first signings at the club in the summer of 2022. “It was defining for the following time together and we have a special relationship. We have experienced many highlights in eleven years. His name will be always connected to special memories such as the DFB-Pokal semi-final and the promotions from the 3rd Division league to the Bundesliga. We are now looking forward to bring this wonderful story to a successful end,” Arabi added.
Arminia head coach Frank Kramer said: “Since I’ve become DSC head coach, I’ve got to know Fabian Klos as a passionate Arminia player who is commited to our goals. I’ve no doubt that Fabian will continue to deliver his 100%. He will continue to play an important role on and off the field. For us as a team, his decision, which we need to accept and respect, could serve as a further motivation to stay in the league and to bid farewell to him in the best possible way.”
Fabian Klos said: “I’m convinced that our Arminia is very well prepared for the future and that we have players in our squad who are capable to follow in my footsteps. I will be always grateful to the club for these eleven years we had together. My sporting journey will continue somewhere else, but I will always stay connected to Arminia. My only wish for my farewell this summer is to experience a sunny day in May when we all together celebrate the fact that we have managed to stay in the Bundesliga. I’ll die trying till the end to achieve our common goal and I will wear the DSC jersey with pride.”