Cacau has confirmed he will leave Stuttgart in the summer after turning down the offer of a new contract.
Striker to leave on a free after rejecting new deal
Stuttgart striker Cacau has confirmed he will leave the club in the summer after turning down the offer of a new contract.
Cacau's current deal expires at the end of the season and Stuttgart had been confident the 29-year-old would accept an extension.
However, the Brazilian-born Germany international has revealed that he has rejected the terms on the table and will seek a new challenge for next season.
"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.
Great time
"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 them to the Bundesliga title in 2007.
He is not likely to be short of offers in the summer, with Wolfsburg, Schalke, Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim and Sevilla all said to be interested.
Stuttgart's general manager Horst Heldt said: "We have made Cacau a reasonable offer that was improved twice during the course of negotiations.
"Unfortunately, he has decided against staying here, but we wish him well in his future endeavours."
