Kevin-Prince Boateng and Schalke 04 have parted ways after the player's contract was terminated by mutual consent, the club have announced.
Boateng joined the German club in the summer of 2013 from AC Milan for a fee of €10 million and has scored seven goals in 54 games since his arrival.
However, he has not played a game this season following an indefinite suspension in May, and so it comes as little surprise that the two parties have decided to go their separate ways, with the situation benefiting no-one.
Boateng is now expected to return to his former club Milan on a free transfer having been training with the team for the past two months.
Controversial forward departs
Despite his talent, the Ghana international has been more trouble than he is worth at times, called up on his questionable attitude at times, which was done back in May.
He was sent home from the 2014 World Cup by his country for disciplinary reasons last summer, and the situation at Schalke was not much different just under 12 months later.
Following a defeat to 1. FC Koln in mid-May, Boateng - along with Sidney Sam and Marco Höger - was suspended by the club, with them stating that his poor behaviour was affecting the team's poor form.
He has not played a game for the club since and so it is no surprise that he has agreed to leave the Bundesliga outfit.
Milan return imminent
For the last two months, Boateng has been training with former side Milan and is now expected to make a switch back to them in the New Year - with him not available to play for another club until January 1, 2016.
The 28-year-old has also been playing in friendly matches for the Serie A club during those two months and so should settle in well on his return.