Ghana international midfielder Anthony Annan has left German giants Schalke 04 after his contract with the Gelsenkirchen side expired, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively confirm.

The 28-year-old has ended a three season stint with the club after joining them from Norwegian giants Rosenborg BK in 2011.

In a move that saw him fail to hold down a regular playing spot at the Veltins Arena and going on loan twice – to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem and Spanish outfit Osasuna, the former Hearts of Oak midfielder welcomed the news of the release by the Royal Blues as he is keen on seeking his future elsewhere.

Annan’s final season at the club was frustrated by injuries as he spent almost first-half of the season in treatment room nursing an injury he suffered in the previous season.

His return to fitness saw him garner little playing time in Jens Keller’s squad as he played in the Uefa Champions League game against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabao and making three substitute appearances at the dying embers of the Bundesliga season.

While a free agent, Annan’s quality patent in midfield for the past season is carrying him through as a flock of clubs have lined-up to enquire about his willingness to join.

Swedish Allsvenskan title-holders Malmo FF who were linked with a move for the midfielder have surfaced again and a report in the Swedish press claimed last week that they are interested in signing Annan on board for their dying European hopes and for domestic leverage.