Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that Mario Gotze will leave the club for a second time this summer.
The midfielder, scorer of Germany’s winning goal in the 2014 World Cup Final, will depart the Westfalenstadion when his contract expires.
Gotze, who initially broke through at the club as a teenage prodigy under Jurgen Klopp, returned to the club in 2016 after three years with Bayern Munich - whom he joined in a controversial move in 2013.
But injury issues and illness have dogged the talented playmaker during his second spell with BVB.
This term he has made just six starts and only 19 appearances in all competitions under Lucien Favre, who this week admitted that there is no natural spot in the side for Gotze.
Last month Gotze, 27, hinted at a summer exit, stating: “I have decided to make a change in the planning of my career.”
Now Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has confirmed that the club’s No.10 will exit.
“Mario will leave this summer,” he announced, speaking on Sky Sports Deutschland.
“It’s a decision that both sides have made after discussing the situation. Mario really is a good guy.”
Gotze's fall from grace at international level has seen him not be picked by boss Jogi Low since 2016.
This year he has been down the pecking order at Dortmund, with Julian Brandt having arrived last summer and usurped him in the midfield positions, while Favre has preferred close pal Marco Reus - when fit - in the No.10 position off the front.
The question now will turn to where next for Gotze, and whether he can rediscover his previous heights.
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