I'm a former Arsenal star worth £180m thanks to kebabs - now I've got a new project

Former Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski is now worth £180million and plans to launch a clothing brand with German side FC Koln.

Podolski's successful business portfolio includes selling kebabs and ice cream while continuing to play professional football. The 38-year-old made 82 appearances for Arsenal and won the FA Cup in 2014.

In 2017 he launched Ice Cream United in Cologne. He then opened his first kebab shop in the city called Mangal Doner in 2018.

Now, the former striker has about 30 kebab shops in Germany. Podolski is also active in the fashion industry and has his own brand called «Strabenkicker».

He's now working with FC Koln, his boyhood club, to launch a new clothing line. German newspaper BILD reports a plan is in place to create streetwear items linked to Podolski's existing brand.

Podolski came through the ranks at FC Koln before scoring over 80 goals for the senior side, so there is hope that the collaboration will prove successful. He said: «We exchanged ideas, I think that was very nice. If things continue like this, I can well imagine helping FC in a position closer to the club than before.»

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Podolski played for FC Koln in two spells, once from 2003 to 2006 and then from 2009 to 2012. He also helped Germany win the World Cup in 2014.

Podolski made 181 appearances for FC Koln and scored 86 goals, even bagging the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player award in 2006 while playing for Germany. Reports suggest that the Cologne-based club are also in discussions with their former forward about a role as a club ambassador.

This means that the