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FOOTBALL

Germany star Klose leaving Bayern

Veteran Germany striker Miroslav Klose is to quit Bayern Munich, the Bavarian football giants announced Monday, and he is now set to join Spanish side Valencia, according to a report in German daily Bild.

Germany star Klose leaving Bayern
Photo: DPA

Klose, who turns 33 on Thursday, will part company with Bayern Munich, where his contract expires at the end of the month, and is set to announce his switch from the Bundesliga to the Spanish La Liga.

“Unfortunately, the talks with Miroslav Klose have not led to a positive outcome,” said Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in a statement.

“We would have liked to have extended his contract,” he added, “but we could not agree on terms. Bayern Munich would like to wish Miroslav Klose and his family all the best for the future and to thank him for all his work with us.”

The Germany star, who has scored 61 goals in 109 international appearances, has rejected Bayern’s offer of a one-year contract with the option of an extra year, after having spent most of last season on the bench.

“I have had four very nice and successful years in Munich, so I would like to sincerely thank Bayern,” said Klose.

“It was something special for me to play for this team.”

Bild reported Klose wanted a two-year deal and was demanding a higher salary than Bayern were prepared to offer him.

Competition is fierce for places up front at Bayern with Germany striker Mario Gomez netting 28 league goals in 32 matches last season.

Croatia striker Ivica Olic and new-signing Nils Petersen will also be competing for starting spots next season in Munich’s attack.

Klose has been at Bayern since 2007 and a host of clubs, including Italy’s Lazio and Premier League side Everton, are reported to have also been interested in signing him.

In four years, Klose has scored 53 goals in 150 games for Bayern and is closing in on Gerd Mueller’s all-time record of 68 goals for Germany.

AFP/adn

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RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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