Larsson confirms intention to leave Barca in June

Sweden striker Henrik Larsson has confirmed that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season and hopes to return to play in his native country.

"I took the decision in October and then spoke to the club. I was flattered they offered me another year on my contract but I couldn't accept it," Larsson told Barcelona's official website yesterday.

"I have been away from Sweden for 12 years. My daughter is growing older and I want her to know the Swedish way of life."

Larsson, who joined the Catalans from Celtic in 2004, missed most of last season with a serious knee injury, and has only had limited chances this year playing as cover for leading scorer Samuel Eto'o.

"I am a 34-year-old footballer and I have two good years left in me. I would prefer to spend them playing a larger part in a side," Larsson added.

Although he has made his decision to leave, the striker insisted he remained committed to Barcelona until the end of his contract.

He added: "My primary objective is still to get into the first team. We are competing in three competitions and I believe the best is yet to come."

Larsson has played 30 games for Barca and scored seven goals in all competitions. He returned from international retirement to help Sweden qualify for the World Cup finals, where they have been drawn with England, Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago in Group D.