Croatia´s Klasnic to quit Bremen

Croatian striker Ivan Klasnic, who returned to international football earlier this year after a kidney transplant, will leave Werder Bremen at the end of the season, it was announced on Wednesday.

Klasnic suffered renal failure in January 2007 and had a successful kidney transplant two months later before becoming the first player to return to international football in the draw with Scotland in March this year.

The forward started legal proceedings last month against two doctors working for Werder Bremen after they failed to spot his failing kidney, but had been in talks with the Bundesliga club to extend his contract.

“We improved our offer once again, but Ivan unfortunately decided not to accept it,” said Klaus Allofs, Bremen's director of sport.

“We had expected a different outcome, because he is a superb forward who has proved his class at the highest level, despite his kidney transplant.”

Klasnic, 28, does not have another club to join, but Turkish side Besiktas are reported to be interested in signing him.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has chosen Klasnic for his Euro 2008 squad. The striker has been at Bremen since 2001 and scored 49 goals in 150 Bundesliga matches.

He was part of the Bremen team which did the German league and cup double in 2004.