Niklas Süle Comes Out of Retirement to Join Eighth‑Tier Side SV Tiefenbach

The former Bayern and Dortmund defender said he chose amateur football to enjoy the game after injury‑forced professional retirement.

Overview

Süle confirmed on Sunday that he has signed for SV Tiefenbach, a Kreisliga club in Baden‑Württemberg, returning to play at amateur level with friends.
He announced his professional retirement in May after a knee problem in April and a career marked by two prior ACL injuries that limited his fitness and playing time.
Süle says the move is about enjoying football away from the commercial pressures of the pro game and noted that two of his close friends already play for Tiefenbach, one as coach.
Across his top‑level career he made more than 170 appearances for Bayern, 110 for Borussia Dortmund and 117 for Hoffenheim and won five Bundesliga titles plus the 2020 Champions League with Bayern.
Transfermarkt valued Süle at about €4 million in May after a drop from roughly €35 million in 2022, and his switch highlights how injury and reduced market value can push elite players into community football while they remain retired from the professional ranks.