I’m a former Arsenal star – now I’m worth nearly £180MILLION after building kebab empire and ice cream brand

LUKAS PODOLSKI is worth nearly £180million after building his own business empire.

The former Arsenal forward’s portfolio includes a chain of kebab shops and an ice cream brand in his native Germany.

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Lukas Podolski has built a kebab empire and ice cream brand in Germany[/caption]

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The forward became a cult hero during three years with Arsenal[/caption]

Meanwhile, he has also launched a music festival, sports centre and a football tournament featuring influencers, former players and fans.

Podolski previously spent three years with the Gunners, winning the FA Cup in 2014.

Back in Germany, though, the 38-year-old has been building his own business empire.

He first launched his dessert brand Ice Cream United in 2017, two years after leaving Arsenal.

The business was founded in the Belgian district of Cologne, the home of Podolski’s first professional club.

A year later, his first Mangal Doner kebab shop opened in the city and now consists of around 30 branches across Germany.

His business acumen has seen him raise his net worth to a reported £177.5million.

That figure includes his career earnings as a player, with Podolski one of Arsenal’s highest paid players during his time at the club.

According to Capology, the ex-Germany international had £100,000-per-week wages at the Emirates Stadium.

Podolski has been vocal in his support of the restaurant chain, defending its prices and hitting out at competitors.

He recently aimed a furious rant at McDonalds after being asked about the cost of meals at Mangal Doner restaurants.

Speaking to YouTuber Sascha Hellinger, Podolski fumed: “If you order a menu at McDonald’s, you pay as much as at my stores. Or even more.

“However, the food will be s***, it lacks quality.”

The veteran forward also continues to perform on the pitch and is now into his third season with Polish side Gornik Zabrze.

Podolski has scored three goals in 17 appearances this term, including a trademark screamer against Piast Gliwice earlier this month.

Arsenal fans became accustomed to his powerful long-range strikes during his time in England.

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Podolski’s Mangal Doner chain has around 30 locations across Germany[/caption]

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His business empire has seen his net worth grow to a reported £177.5million[/caption]

The former Bayern Munich man scored 21 goals in 82 appearances for the club before heading on loan to Inter Milan in 2015.

He has since gone on to have spells in Turkey and Japan before moving to Poland three years ago.

At international level, Podolski was a member of Germany’s World Cup-winning squad in 2014.

Overall, he scored 49 goals in 130 caps for his country before his final appearance against England in 2017.