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Diego enchanted the Bremen audience between 2006 and 2009
Photo:
INA FASSBENDER/ REUTERS
The former Bremen and Wolfsburg Bundesliga professional Diego will end his career at the weekend.
The now 37-year-old Brazilian confirmed this on Monday on his Instagram account.
"It was a long and beautiful journey," wrote the South American, who was last involved in winning the Copa Libertadores in the jersey of Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.
Diego moved from Porto to Bremen in 2006, taking over as playmaker from Johan Micoud.
In 2009 he won the DFB Cup with Werder and reached the final of the Uefa Cup.
The Brazilian scored 38 goals in 84 games for Bremen, including Goal of the Year in 2007 when he struck from 63 meters against Alemannia Aachen.
For the 2009/10 season he moved to Juventus, but could not prevail there.
In 2010 he returned to the Bundesliga, but was unable to match his Bremen performances at VfL Wolfsburg.
He joined Atlético Madrid on loan.
He won the Europa League with the Spaniards in 2012.
Most recently he played for Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.
With the Brazilians he twice won the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.
In the Brazilian national team, the gifted technician was usually only a substitute, but in the end he managed to win 34 international matches.
He won the Copa America with Brazil in 2004 and 2007.
However, the midfielder was never allowed to take part in a World Cup.
Diego's last appearance will be in a league game against Avai SC on Saturday.
kjo/dpa