Free-agent Cacau to leave Stuttgart

Cacau is to leave Stuttgart as a free agent at the end of the season after rejecting the Bundesliga club's latest contract offer.

The 29-year-old Brazilian-born Germany international has featured regularly for Stuttgart this season, and has eight goals in 20 appearances.

That form persuaded the club 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 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 Wolfsburg, Schalke, 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."