Subotic confirms intent to leave Borussia Dortmund

Just days after his agent speculated that a dearth of first-team football could see his client leave the Westfalenstadion, Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic conceded Sunday that he plans to leave in the summer, ending his eight-year tenure with the club.

Related: Sunderland-linked Subotic may have to leave Dortmund, says agent

Subotic, 27, said on Facebook: "I've come to realise over the last year that my love for football and for my active role on the pitch is too big to just follow the events from outside."

"I don't want to earn my money on the bench, but rather want to be an active part of a story, as was the case until last year," Subotic continued.

With just six Bundesliga appearances last season for the former Serbian international and the departure of centre-half partner Mats Hummels to rival Bayern Munich, it's an end of an era for the decorated eight-time top-flight champion.

"I hope you can relate to it and understand it. BVB is in my heart, and will always remain there."

A fan favourite at Dortmund, Subotic's status with the club's ravenous supporters has become one of legendary proportions. Since joining the club in 2008 from Mainz, the 36-time capped international won a pair of league titles and the DFB-Pokal cup in 2011-12.

Amid speculation that Sunderland is poised to make a move for the defender, who has two years left on his deal at Dortmund, Subotic has conceded that he's interested in a move to the Premier League.

"I've got to be honest and say that the English Premier League is very suitable for my way of playing football," he said. "The intensity and the physical nature of the game are very attractive for me."