After Retiring: Former Hertha Player Demme Plays in the Icon League

Diego Demme will remain active in soccer. The 34-year-old midfielder, who announced the end of his professional career with Hertha BSC in late September, will be lacing up his cleats in the Icon League, as his new team, Plyrs United, announced on Instagram. 

The team is led by former soccer players Claudio Pizarro and Franck Ribéry, as well as professional ice hockey player Leon Draisaitl. The indoor soccer league, founded by former national team player Toni Kroos and influencer Elias Nerlich, is entering its fifth season.

Demme runs two pizzerias

During his professional career, Demme also played for RB Leipzig and SSC Napoli, and after his contract with Hertha BSC expired last summer, he opened two pizzerias together with a business partner. There were also talks with Brandenburg League club SV Viktoria Potsdam, which Demme’s former Hertha teammate, Toni Leistner, has joined.

The sixth-division club already caused a surprise last weekend with the signing of the defender. In the state cup, the team from the state capital knocked the Oberliga club and defending champion VfB Krieschow out of the competition.