Ribery To Depart Bayern Munich At The End Of The Season

By Max Wise

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

Ribery joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2007 for £17m from French club Olympique Marseille after helping France finish as runners up in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

After 12 seasons at the Allianz Arena, Ribery will depart Bayern Munich alongside Arjen Robben, and the pair will have a testimonial played in their honour next year.

Ribery, who spent a season in Turkey with Galatasaray in the 2004/2005 season, has won 21 major honours at Bayern Munich including eight Bundesliga titles and the 2013 UEFA Champions League.

The 36-year-old former French international can add two more trophies to his cabinet before leaving as Bayern Munich hold a four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table with two games to play while the Bavarians also have a date with RB Leipzig in the DFB-Pokal final later this month.

“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."

Ribery has played 23 times in the Bundesliga this season,scoring five goals and providing three assists.