Tuesday November 26, 2024

Neuer extends Bayern deal until 2024

Published : 23 May 2022, 21:02

By Mark Meadows, dpa

Manuel Neuer and player Joshua Kimmich celebrate their club's tenth championship in a row after the final whistle of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena. File Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has extended his contract at Bayern Munich by a year until 2024, the Bundesliga champions said in a statement on Monday.

The 36-year-old captain appears to have got over injury problems which dogged the middle part of his career and is still a standout goalkeeper in German football.

The World Cup winner has racked up 10 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League triumphs since joining Bayern from Schalke in 2011.

"I'm very pleased that my journey continues at Bayern. We'll have a very good team again with which we can play for every title," Neuer said.

"As a goalkeeper, captain and leader, I want to be the support and a key factor in our big goals. We want to extend our title record and compete again for the German Cup and Champions League."

His deal follows a new contract for Thomas Müller, also until 2024. But the third ageing jewel in Bayern's crown, Robert Lewandowski, has turned down a new deal with his existing contract running out in 2023. Bayern want him to stay next season but reports say they are mulling a sale.

On Neuer, chief executive and ex-Bayern keeper Oliver Kahn said: "Manuel Neuer is the best goalkeeper in the world and has been setting the standard around the world for years.

"It's a huge achievement to be so consistently world class for such a long time. We're very happy to have extended his contract. Manuel is a defining figure in the history of Bayern."

Keeping hold of Germany duo Neuer and Müller takes some of the sting out of the Lewandowski situation for Bayern's board, but further signings are needed to give coach Julian Nagelsmann a realistic chance of challenging for the Champions League next term.

Niklas Süle has left for rivals Borussia Dortmund so a new centre back is a must while possibly having to replace world player of the year Lewandowski is a thankless task, although the likes of RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku have been linked in the media with Bayern.

"We want to have success in all competitions in the coming years," said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

"Manuel is huge support for us on and off the pitch. He'll continue to play a large part in us achieving our goals."