Ex-Arsenal star Lukas Podolski returns to Europe after joining Antalyaspor on free transfer from Vissel Kobe

FORMER Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has returned to Europe after joining Turkish side Antalyaspor on a free .

The retired Germany star ended his three-year stay in Japan with Vissel Kobe and has embarked on the latest chapter of his career.

Podolski, 34, fuelled speculation of a final swansong in Malaysia but the deal collapsed.

Now he was mobbed by his new supporters after joining the seventh club of his illustrious career with a relegation scrap on his hands.

Antalyaspor sit one point adrift of safety having picked up just three wins from 18 league matches.

Podolski arrives with a winning mentality having picked up three major pieces of silverware including the World Cup in 2014.

He bagged 17 goals in 60 appearances for Vissel Kobe and will hope to add firepower to Antalyaspor's attack that has scored just 15 this campaign.

Podolski, who has 130 caps, began his career at boyhood club Koln where he now boasts a fledgling business... of kebab shops.

The kebab king is soon to open his SIXTH takeaway this year having carved out a tasty off-field career.

Podolski already runs five Mangal Doner eateries, including four in home city Cologne.

He also owns an ice-cream parlour, a pub and a clothes shop.