Bayern confirms Ribery exit

Franck Ribery will be looking for a new club in the summer after his departure from Bayern Munich was confirmed.

Franck Ribery will leave Bayern Munich when his contract expires at the end of the season, the club have confirmed.

Former France international Ribery arrived from Marseille in 2007 and has won 21 trophies with the club, including eight Bundesliga titles.

The 36-year-old will join fellow veteran winger Arjen Robben in departing the Allianz Arena in June and a testimonial match will be held for both players in 2020.

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"When I came to Bayern, it was a dream come true. It won't be easy to say goodbye, but we must never forget what we've achieved together," said Ribery.

"I won more than 20 trophies and, of course, I hope we can add another Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal at the end of this season. That would be great for me personally and my family and, of course, for the fans too.

 

"When I joined Bayern the relationship was immediately great. I always want to do special things for the fans when I'm on the pitch. I always want to play well because it feels so good to wear this jersey. I always wanted to get the jersey really wet for my club.

"The fans know I have heart and that I'm honest, we always had a good relationship. It's incredible to think I was here for 12 years and it's tough for me and the fans, but we cannot forget all the things we experienced together."

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: "Franck and Arjen are great players. FC Bayern owes a lot to both of them and we will give them a wonderful and emotional farewell.

"They've helped shape FC Bayern's most successful decade with fantastic football."

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Qatari side Al Sadd and Western Sydney Wanderers - managed by former Bayern defender Markus Babbel - have been credited with an interest in Ribery, who intends to continue playing but does not have another deal in place already.

"I was at Bayern for 12 years and it was a great time for me and my family," he said.

"Of course, I'm still here for three weeks and I don't want to think too much about what will happen afterwards because I want to keep coming here and enjoying myself on the pitch with my team-mates.

"I don't have a concrete plan for next season yet. I'm not sure where I can go to play football. I will keep playing but nothing is 100 per cent certain yet. We'll have to wait and see."