Rafael van der Vaart has said he "can imagine playing in America" amid interest from Sporting Kansas City.

Hamburg confirmed that the 32-year-old won't return to the club next season.

"No matter how the season ends, it was clear that I would not prolong," he said. "HSV is and always be my club. I hope that I'll be able to return in a few years -- that's how it looks right now."

The former Ajax, Real Madrid and Tottenham midfielder is widely expected to move to Major League Soccer, with Sporting Kansas City CEO Robb Heineman having tweeted early last month that the club had held "productive" talks with the player