Schalke: German club set to be without defender Christoph Metzelder next summer

The 32-year-old is out of contract with the German club at the end of the season and has made up his mind not to sign a new deal.

Metzelder has yet to decide his future and, although he is open to retiring from professional football, he says that he would relish playing in the USA.

"A move to the MLS and the United States is a very, very interesting option even just to experience something new in my personal life," he told Reviersport newspaper.

"I will definitely leave Schalke at the end of the season. I do not believe that the club will be willing to offer me a new contract in the summer.

"The club has some very good young players in my position. I will have to decide what I will do next.

"I could well quit the professional game. Maybe I will join TuS Haltern, my very first club. I am crazy enough to make such a move."