Klose to quit Bayern

Bayern Munich today confirmed Germany striker Miroslav Klose will leave the club at the end of the month after talks over a new deal broke down.

Klose, 32, joined the Bavarians from Werder Bremen in 2007 and has scored 24 goals in 98 Bundesliga games. He was a peripheral figure last season with Mario Gomez emerging as the club’s first-choice target man.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge today said: “Unfortunately talks with Miroslav Klose have not led to a positive conclusion.

“We would have liked him to stay but we could not find common ground on the length of the contract period.

“FC Bayern would like to wish Miroslav and his family all the best for the future and are grateful for his contribution over the past four years.”

Klose, who has been linked with Lazio and Valencia, said: “I have had four beautiful and successful years at Bayern and I thank them warmly.

“It was special to play for this club.”

Poland-born Klose made his name at Kaiserslautern before joining Bremen in 2004.

He helped Bayern to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in his first year at the club and was also instrumental as they reclaimed the league title in 2010 and reached the final of the Champions League.

He has won 109 caps for Germany, scoring 61 times, and his record of 14 goals in World Cup finals is second only to Brazil’s Ronaldo.