Klasnic leaving Bremen despite new offer

BREMEN, Germany (AP) -- Croatian striker Ivan Klasnic is leaving Werder Bremen at the end of the season after turning down a contract extension offer -- despite his malpractice lawsuit against two team doctors.

Klasnic and his lawyers have argued that he received inadequate medical attention from team doctors, who allegedly failed to detect a kidney condition that later required two transplants.

"Staying at Bremen would have meant being treated by the same doctors who are I am suing," said Klasnic -- who has spent seven seasons with the club.

Klasnic went on national television last month and repeated his charges that the two doctors had failed to diagnose his failing kidney.

His wife, Patricia, who also appeared on the talk show, said team officials had never inquired about her husband's condition after he received a kidney from his father 14 months ago. A previous kidney transplant from his mother had failed.

The player and his lawyers met later with Bremen officials and both sides issued a conciliatory statement, with the club offering the 28-year-old striker a new contract.

"We improved our offer in the past few days one more time but unfortunately he has decided not to extend the contract," said Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs. "We were hoping for a different outcome, Ivan is an excellent striker who proved his class after the transplant."

In his lawsuit, Klasnic has accused team doctor Goetz Dimanski and cardiologist Manju Guha of years of "careless treatment" in which they failed to recognize that his kidney wasn't filtering liquids. He is asking for 1.4 million euros in damages.

Klasnic, who wears a fiberglass shield to protect him on the field, is one of a small number of professional athletes to return after an organ transplant.

He has scored seven goals in 15 Bundesliga games since his comeback in November. Werder are second in the Bundesliga and will play in the Champions League next season if they retain that position after Saturday's final round of matches.

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