For four VfB players, the final home game of the 2009/2010 season was also their last appearance for the club in front of the Stuttgart supporters.
Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, right full-back Ricardo Osorio, midfielder Roberto Hilbert and winger Aliaksandr Hleb were greeted with rousing applause as they were officially bid farewell by VfB president Erwin Staudt, Executive Representative for Sport Horst Heldt and executive manager for finance and administration Ulrich Ruf after the game. Jens Lehmann will end his over 20 year professional playing career next weekend. He has been a solid final man for VfB over the past two years.
Ricardo Osorio, who came along with fellow countryman Pavel Pardo in summer 2006, was the first Mexican at VfB and he became German champion with the club in his fist season. As yet it is unclear as to where he will play next season.
Aliaksandr Hleb will return to FC Barcelona, from where he has been on loan at VfB since summer 2009.
"We wish you all well and most importantly we wish you health. For the players leaving us at the end of the season, they should know that the doors of this club are always open to them," said VfB president Erwin Staudt
