Stuttgart's Serdar Tasci moves to Spartak Moscow

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) Stuttgart defender and captain Serdar Tasci is leaving the Bundesliga club for Spartak Moscow.

Stuttgart gave no details of the transfer deal for the former Germany international. The 26-year-old Tasci rose through the club's youth teams and has played 181 league matches for Stuttgart since making his Bundesliga debut in 2006.

Tasci says he wants to "take on a new challenge" in Russia.

Tasci's departure comes days after Stuttgart fired coach Bruno Labbadia following four straight losses at the start of the season. Former player Thomas Schneider was appointed as the new coach.