Heerenveen confirm Alves can leave

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- Heerenveen coach Gertjan Verbeek has insisted that star Brazilian striker Afonso Alves has played his last game for the Dutch club.

Alves has been seeking a transfer for the past few weeks and Verbeek is fed up with the disruption he feels it has caused his team.

"The book is closed. From the moment that he said that he wanted to leave Heerenveen, the story is over," said Verbeek.

"That he hasn't signed a contract yet with another club doesn't interest me at all. I only work with guys who have their heart and soul at Heerenveen and that is not the fact with Alves. He is not ready for it either, physically and mentally.

"Maybe I can put him in the line-up for four games, but I wouldn't dream of doing that. I don't want to be the victim of his unpredictable behavior -- that only leads the club into confusion."

Alves was the top scorer in the Eredivisie last season with 34 goals and was Heerenveen's record signing when they bought him from Swedish side Malmo in 2006 for $6.6 million

However, the 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from the club for some time now with English club Middlesbrough reportedly set to offer in the region of $27 million for the player. E-mail to a friend