Lukas Podolski open his new kebab shop in Cologne

Former Germany, Arsenal and Bayern Munich star Lukas Podolski has unveiled a new project: a kebab restaurant in his longtime home city of Cologne.

Around 1,000 fans turned up on Saturday to the opening of Mangal Doener, some arriving more than five hours early to catch a glimpse of their local hero, according to the player’s spokesperson.

Podolski will run the restaurant along with two co-owners and the player posed in front of a kebab and signed autographs before turning his hand to cutting slithers off a huge slab of unidentified meat.

Lukas Podolski cuts slithers off meat off a huge kebab at the grand opening of Mangal Done

Around 1,000 fans turned up for the opening with some waiting as long as five hours

And it is not the 130-cap Germany international’s first foray into fast food either. Last year, the 32-year-old launched an ice cream parlour in Cologne, all while still plying his trade in professional football.

Indeed, Podolski currently plays for Vissel Kobe in Japan and is only in Cologne to undergo treatment on a thigh injury.

Podolski is considered a legend in Cologne after two successful spells with the local club, the first of which marked the start of his career in 2003.

He went on to become a cult hero with Arsenal and Galatasaray before leaving for Japan to unwind a career that has seen him win the Bundesliga, FA Cup and the World Cup.

Podolski also owns an ice cream parlour in Cologne but has yet to retire from football