Stuttgart confirm Guirassy and Anton exit

Bundesliga runners-up VfB Stuttgart will lose two more key players in striker Serhou Guirassy and Germany defender Waldemar Anton, board member for sport Fabian Wohlgemuth confirmed on Thursday.

"Both have informed us that they will leave the club," Wohlgemuth said at the start of pre-season training.

Guirassy and Anton have release clauses in their contracts and have been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund.

Wohlgemuth said the clauses have so far not been triggered and that he could therefore not say where they will be heading.

Guirassy scored 28 goals and Anton was a rock at the back as Stuttgart played a strong season to finish second behind champions Bayer Leverkusen, 12 months after almost being relegated.

Stuttgart have also lost centre back Hiroki Ito, to Bayern Munich.

Augsburg forward Ermedin Demirovic has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Guirassy, having scored 15 goals last term.

"He played a good season and knows how the league works," Wohlgemuth said. ""We are currently examining whether he is of interest for us, which brings us back to the economic situation."

Stuttgart have signed seven new players, including Jeff Chabot and Justin Diehl from relegated Cologne, Nick Woltemade from Werder Bremen and Yannik Keitel from Freiburg.

In additon, Switzerland midfielder Fabian Rieder arrives on loan from Stade Rennes.

Stuttgart start the season on August 17 with the German Super Cup match against Leverkusen. Their first Bundesliga match is a week later at regional rivals Freiburg.