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."
