Brazilian star Marta leaves Umea IK

FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Marta will no longer be playing for Swedish side Umea IK, as the club announced to have ended negotiations with the Brazilian forward.

“The discussion regarding Marta’s being, or not being, with Umea for the coming season has ended on our part,” Umea said in a statement. “Umea and Swedish women’s football are losing their brightest shining star.”

The 22-year-old Marta joined Umea from Santa Cruz ahead of the 2004 season, and helped the Swedish side win the UEFA Women’s Cup the same year.

During Marta’s stay in Sweden, Umea won four national championships, one cup and -other than winning the UEFA Women’s Cup in 2004, also reached the final in 2007.

Marta also formed part of the Olympic teams that won silver medals at the 2004 and 2008 tournaments, and the team that won the 2003 South American Women’s Championships.

Marta’s last appearance with Umea was in November last year, when she scored four goals in a 6-0 win over Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Cup quarter finals. Umea face Russia’s Zvezda-2005 in the semi finals, but it’ll be without their biggest star.