Matthaeus to leave Bayern Munich for US on March 10th

Former German World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaeus has confirmed his intention to leave Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in March.

The 38 year old who holds the record for winning most German caps and led the side that won Italia 90 will move to the MLS and lay for Metro Stars from March 10th.

Matthaeus will end his Bayern Munich career in the previous week. The champions are currently top of the Bundesliga and won 3-0 yesterday with the veteran part of their defence. He has produced one of the finest club careers in the modern European game and captained Internazionale to their last Italian championship win in 1989.

Metro Stars signed a contract with the defender last month in New York but Matthaeus' exact date of departure from the German game had been the subject of speculation. Several newspaper sources reported that the Bayern Munich catain would stay with the club for one more attempt to win the Champions League and then join the MLS half way through its next campaign. Matthaeus still intends to remain as part of the German national squad for Euro 2000 but Metro Stars have offered him considerable back room influence and he will move into management at the end of his playing career.