Ciro Immobile has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36, bringing an end to a distinguished career that included spells with Italy, Lazio and a host of clubs across Europe.
The former Italy and Lazio striker, who had been playing for Paris FC, informed his team-mates of the decision on Thursday as he fought back tears. His career record was outlined during the announcement, with Immobile having made 656 appearances and scored 350 goals.
Immobile’s retirement comes after a period affected by injury problems. He had two goals and two assists in 12 appearances for Paris FC last season, despite being expected to remain under contract with the Ligue 1 club until June 2027.
The centre-forward joined Paris FC in January, following six appearances for Bologna at the beginning of the campaign. He has now decided to end his playing career rather than continue competing with the fitness difficulties that had affected his final months.
Immobile was one of the most prolific goalscorers in Serie A history and enjoyed his most important and sustained spell at Lazio. He spent eight years with the club between 2016 and 2024, establishing himself as one of the leading strikers of his generation in Italian football.
During his time in Serie A, Immobile won the Capocannoniere award on four occasions. He also represented Italy 57 times at senior international level, scoring 17 goals, and was part of the national team that won the European Championship in 2021.
His career began in the Salernitana youth academy before he moved to Juventus. He subsequently played for Siena, Grosseto, Pescara, Genoa, Torino, Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Lazio, Besiktas, Bologna and Paris FC.
Immobile’s route through the game included experience in Italy, Germany, Spain, Turkey and France, although his years at Lazio formed the defining chapter of his career. His scoring record there helped make him one of Serie A’s most reliable strikers and secured his place among the division’s leading marksmen.
After beginning the 2025-26 campaign with Bologna, Immobile moved to Paris FC in January. His stay in France was brief, with the forward making 12 appearances before the injury issues and his decision to retire brought his career to a close.
At international level, his 17 goals in 57 senior appearances for Italy included his contribution to a side that lifted the European Championship in 2021. His four Serie A Capocannoniere titles, alongside his long spell at Lazio and total of 350 goals in 656 matches, complete the record of a striker whose career was defined by consistency and goalscoring.
