Darmstadt release Florian Jungwirth, clearing San Jose Earthquakes move

Bundesliga club Darmstadt have cleared Florian Jungwirth to move to the San Jose Earthquakes by releasing the midfielder on Tuesday.

Jungwirth had pushed for a move that Darmstadt's Torsten Frings was initially reluctant to grant. But the coach relented on Tuesday, agreeing to end the 27-year-old's contract with five months remaining on it.

"We promised Flo right from the beginning that he can leave once we have a fitting alternative. This now is the case, and thus we have decided to release him," Frings said. "I wish Flo all the best for his future."

Darmstadt ended a busy day with the signing of former Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Schalke midfielder Hamit Altintop on a free transfer. The 34-year-old was released by previous club Galatasaray earlier this month.

Earlier, Darmstadt earlier signed 26-year-old defender Wilson Kamavuaka from Greek club Panetolikos and Denmark under-21 defender Patrick Banggaard from FC Midtjylland.

Jungwirth appeared in 35 Bundesliga games for Darmstadt since moving from Bochum in 2014, though his final month was marred by his demand for a transfer and Frings on Monday criticised the player's effort in training.

"I would like to thank the club hierarchy for keeping their word, and I am sorry for what happened at the end," Jungwirth said. "I wish the Lilies all the best, I will always keep the time at Darmstadt in good memory."

Sources told ESPN FC last week that the Earthquakes were pursuin Jungwirth, and though the MLS team had yet to confirm Jungwirth's arrival on Tuesday, the club's new general manager Jesse Fioranelli said on Saturday that more signings were imminent.

San Jose has already signed Panama defender Harold Cummings and Costa Rica striker Marcos Urena this month.But the team lost midfielder Alberto Quintero on Monday, with the 29-year-old signing for Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes on Monday after a year on loan with the Quakes.

Darmstadt also released Nigerian attacker Victor Obinna on Tuesday.