World Cup’s sexiest fan Ivana Knoll lands DJ role at festival set up by ex-Arsenal star and featuring Backstreet Boys
THE WORLD'S "sexiest football fan" Ivana Knoll is set to make her debut as a DJ thanks to former Arsenal star Lukas Podolski.
The German striker, now with Polish club Gornik Zabrze, began a new career as a concert promoter last year.
Podolski has co-organised the Glucksgefuhle music festival at Germany's Hockenheim motor racing circuit.
Headlined by the Backstreet Boys, the four-day event is set to attract 200,000 fans before ending on Sunday.
And the ex-Gunner, 39, has invited World Cup sensation Ivana to DJ at the festival under her stage name Knolldoll.
The former Miss Croatia is set to perform despite breaking her shin while leaving a nightclub on Greek island Mykonos last month.
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German-born influencer Ivana, 31, said: "Even a broken leg won't dampen my spirits. The doctors told me I'd need to use crutches for three weeks.
"But I was able to walk unaided after a fortnight. I can lift 40 kilos once again, and the physio told me he's never seen such a quick recovery.
"I'm very excited about the festival, even though I can't yet jump around, dance or wax my leg.
"But I hope to transmit my energy to the fans. I'm preparing my set at home, and working on my own remixes in the studio.
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Podolski's £180m empire
Podolski has built a business empire which includes a chain of kebab shops and an ice cream brand.
He first launched his dessert brand Ice Cream United in 2017, two years after leaving Arsenal.
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.
He has also launched a music festival, sports centre and a football tournament featuring influencers, former players and fans.
"I hope to get them finished in time for Friday. I'm really looking forward to the festival and all the artists.
"Especially the Backstreet Boys - I've never yet seen them play live before."
Glucksgefuhle, which translates as Happy Feelings, has been likened to the Coachella mega-festival in California.
Podolski and partner Markus Krampe first staged the event last summer.
The striker spent three years with Arsenal, winning the 2014 FA Cup and scored 31 goals in 82 games.
Polish-born Podolski went on to play in Turkey and Japan before retuning home to join Gornik. He is under contract with the Ekstraklasa club until 2025.