Christian Eriksen leaves Wolfsburg after contract ended by mutual consent

Christian Eriksen has left Wolfsburg by mutual consent, ending his spell with the German club before the scheduled expiry of his contract in June 2027. BBC Sport reported the departure on Wednesday, just over three months after the Denmark midfielder collapsed during an international friendly against Ukraine. He has not played since June.

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Eriksen, 34, said being near his family in Denmark was his priority at present. He welcomed the agreement reached with Wolfsburg and reflected on a period at the club that had included both positive and difficult experiences. His explanation focused on his current circumstances and the importance of returning closer to his family.

Wolfsburg's managing director for sport, Dieter Hecking, said the club had wanted Eriksen to make the decision about his own future. According to the statement reported by the BBC, Wolfsburg agreed to the player's request to terminate the deal. Hecking also paid tribute to the impression Eriksen had made on his fellow players, club staff and supporters despite his relatively brief stay.

The midfielder joined Wolfsburg as a free agent a year ago after leaving Manchester United and made 34 appearances for the club. His departure comes with Wolfsburg in Germany's second tier and seeking a return to the Bundesliga. Eriksen expressed confidence in the people overseeing that effort and said he believed the club could look forward to a successful future.

The collapse during Denmark's June friendly followed an earlier medical emergency at the European Championship in 2021. Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark's opening group match against Finland in Copenhagen at that tournament. The BBC report identifies the later incident against Ukraine as a collapse; it does not give a diagnosis for that incident or announce a date for his return to football.

Eriksen has won 151 caps for Denmark. Before his spells with Manchester United and Wolfsburg, he played for Ajax, Tottenham, Inter Milan and Brentford. The announcement brings his Wolfsburg contract to an end, but the report does not identify a next club or describe the decision as a retirement from professional football.