Cacau set for Stuttgart exit

(GSM) – VfB Stuttgart’s Cacau is to leave the Bundesliga club at the end of the season as a free agent after rejecting the club’s latest contract offer.

The 29-year-old striker, who has netted eight times in 20 appearances, has featured regularly for Stuttgart this season.

With the Brazilian born Germany international’s impressive form, the club chose to offer the striker a one-year extension on improved terms, but Cacau has turned it down.

“I have thought for a long time about this step, and finally decided that after seven good years I will look for a new challenge,” Cacau said on the club’s official website.

“I have had a great time at VfB and have many friends and have enjoyed great success. We have not found an agreement now, but I’ll never forget my time here and will keep working in the remaining games to ensure we have a successful season.”

Cacau is Stuttgart’s longest serving player, having joined the club in 2003. He has scored 57 goals in 172 league games, helping the club to the Bundesliga title in 2007.

He is not likely to be short of offers in the summer, with VfL Wolfsburg, Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim and Sevilla all said to be interested.

However, Stuttgart must look elsewhere.

“We have made Cacau a reasonable offer that was improved twice during the course of negotiations,” general manager Horst Heldt said.

“Unfortunately, he has decided against staying here, but we wish him well in his future endeavours.”