New Bayern deal for Van Bommel

Bayern Munich captain Mark van Bommel has agreed a new contract which ties him to the Bundesliga leaders until the end of next season.

The 32-year-old's previous deal was due to expire at the end of the current campaign and his decision to commit his future to the Bavarian giants is a welcome fillip with Bayern chasing silverware domestically and in Europe.

"It was always my desire to extend my deal for one more year," Van Bommel told the club's official website.

Van Bommel added: "I want success with this team. That's our goal this year and next year.

"If we achieve that then we will talk again."

Executive board chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is delighted the issue has been resolved with Bayern chasing the Bundesliga crown and reaching the last eight of the Champions League.

Rummenigge said: "We are very happy that we could extend Mark van Bommel's contract ahead of a crucial few weeks.

"Mark has been in the past few years, and especially in recent months, an important part of our success. He is also a very good captain and representative of Bayern Munich."

Holland international Van Bommel joined Bayern from Barcelona in 2006 and was named skipper in 2008, replacing veteran goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and becoming the first foreign player to be handed the armband.