diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index dfd142269..964a04d92 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-v0.23.0-dev
\ No newline at end of file
+v0.23.0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config/default/manager_image_patch.yaml b/config/default/manager_image_patch.yaml
index 78486a199..4fda3c79b 100644
--- a/config/default/manager_image_patch.yaml
+++ b/config/default/manager_image_patch.yaml
@@ -8,5 +8,5 @@ spec:
     spec:
       containers:
         # Change the value of image field below to your controller image URL
-        - image: europe-docker.pkg.dev/gardener-project/public/gardener/etcd-druid:v0.22.0-dev
+        - image: europe-docker.pkg.dev/gardener-project/public/gardener/etcd-druid:v0.23.0-dev
           name: druid