Jerome Boateng’s difficult chapter at LASK Linz has come to an end after the club confirmed his contract was terminated by mutual consent just three games into the new Austrian Bundesliga season.
The 36-year-old defender, once regarded among the best centre-backs in world football, joined LASK on a free transfer in May 2023 following spells at Bayern Munich and Lyon.
His arrival was seen as a coup for the Austrian side, but injuries and controversy off the pitch meant his time in Linz never truly settled.
In total, Boateng managed only 13 competitive appearances in 15 months.
Jerome Boateng’s difficult chapter at LASK Linz has come to an end after the club confirmed his contract was terminated by mutual consent just three games into the new Austrian Bundesliga season
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Boateng, who lifted the 2014 World Cup with Germany and became a two-time Champions League winner with Bayern, admitted in his farewell statement that it was time to move on.
“I would like to thank LASK for their trust and the time we spent together here in Linz," he said.
"It was an enriching experience to work in a new environment once again. Now the time is right for me to open a new chapter.
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"I will soon announce what new challenges — both sporting and personal — await me in the future."
LASK sporting director Dino Buric praised Boateng’s professionalism and influence on younger players but acknowledged it was the right moment for both sides to part ways.
His stay in Austria, however, was overshadowed by the fallout from a long-running legal case in Germany.
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Jerome Boateng helped Germany win the World Cup in 2014
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In October 2023, a Munich court handed Boateng a suspended fine and a warning after finding him guilty of premeditated bodily harm against his former partner.
The court heard allegations dating back to a 2018 holiday argument in which Boateng was accused of throwing objects, including a lamp and a small cooler, during a heated dispute.
He was ordered to pay more than €98,000 (£84,000) to charity, while a suspended fine of around €196,000 (£168,000) would only become active if he committed another offence.
Because of the principle of in dubio pro reo — 'when in doubt, for the accused' — the court did not proceed with further charges of coercion, assault, or defamation. Still, the ruling drew significant public scrutiny.
In Linz, some supporters made their feelings clear.
During a league match in March, sections of the home crowd booed Boateng loudly and chanted 'wife beater' as he took to the field, underlining how divisive his presence at the club had become.
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Jerome Boateng has left LASK after a turbulent time in Austria
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Despite the turbulence, Boateng — capped 76 times by Germany — insists he is not ready to call time on his playing career.
After thanking LASK, he confirmed he is weighing up both personal and professional opportunities, suggesting another move could soon be on the horizon.
Boateng previously played in the Premier League with Manchester City, though failed to live up to expectations at the Etihad Stadium.