LONDON — Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker will play one last season at the Premier League club before retiring to become its academy manager.
The 32-year-old centre back joined Arsenal in 2011. He quit international football after winning the World Cup with Germany in 2014.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Friday that Mertesacker "is a great example for young players … a deep thinker about the game" and "will be an inspirational figure for everyone connected with the academy."
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