Kevin Grosskreutz has parted ways with the German second-tier side VfB Stuttgart less than four days after being taken to hospital following a fight in the city centre. The 28-year-old’s contract was terminated by mutual consent with immediate effect, VfB announced.
“I don’t want anything to do with football for the time being,” an emotional Grosskreutz said at a news conference.
On the club website, Grosskreutz said: “I made a mistake and for that I’m very sorry. I accept the consequences and regret that my time at Stuttgart has come to an end in this way.”
Grosskreutz did not suffer serious injury in the altercation, which took place in Stuttgart city centre. Police, who did not name the player, said on Tuesday that a 28-year-old man was taken to hospital with a head injury after receiving a punch in a fight between two groups on Monday night. A 16-year-old man from the same group was also taken to hospital, with no apparent external injuries. Four suspects were arrested.
Stuttgart, who are currently leading the 2. Bundesliga, said on Tuesday that the player would file charges but they have now decided to take action against Grosskreutz.
“The first-team players especially are role models for the club in general and for our youth players in particular,” Stuttgart’s chairman, Jan Schindelmeiser, said.
The Stuttgart coach, Hannes Wolf, said a termination of Grosskreutz’s contract was “the only logical step. It’s not an easy situation for any of us. Still, it’s important that we focus on the immediate future of Stuttgart.”
Grosskreutz, who can play as a right-back or right-sided midfielder, previously played for Borussia Dortmund, including in the Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich. He was also an unused substitute for Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning team in Brazil.