Bundesliga
Neuer and Ulreich extend Bayern deals until 2025
Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is to stay at the champions for at least another year, as will Sven Ulreich, who has deputised for Neuer during his recent injury absence, after the pair signed new contracts until 2025.
The return of 37-year-old Neuer in recent weeks has provided a major boost to Bundesliga champions Bayern. The goalkeeper, who has won 11 titles for the Munich club and made 117 appearances for Germany, is one of the defining players of his generation.
The news of his one-year contract extension until summer 2025 ensures he will remain at the club until past his 39th birthday.
"I’m happy to be staying at FC Bayern for another year," Neuer told the Bayern website. "After my long injury, I’m back in full swing. It’s immense fun for me to be on the pitch with this team. I’m sure that, together with the fans, we can achieve our big goals in the coming years – and obviously the 2025 Champions League final in Munich is one of them. Knowing that I still have Sven by my side makes it even nicer.”
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Ulreich, 35, has proved to be a very capable understudy, keeping goal for the first eight matches of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season while Neuer completed his injury comeback, and conceding just seven goals.
The former VfB Stuttgart and Hamburg goalkeeper is expected to remain Neuer's deputy - ahead of young Daniel Peretz - after earning the contract extension.
"When I came to FC Bayern from Stuttgart in 2015, I never would’ve thought I’d stay here for so long," Ulreich enthused. "Now I’ve extended my contract until 2025 and will continue to do my bit to help us achieve our aims. I’m pleased to continue working together with Manuel and also Daniel Peretz and our goalkeeping coach Michael Rechner. I've had much more in common with Manuel than just a passion for football – we're friends."
"We’ve very glad to have Manuel and Sven with us beyond the current season," added Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund. "Together with Daniel Peretz they form a goalkeeping team that’s second to none. Their quality, as athletes and as people, and their teamwork are excellent.
"Manuel is our captain and has been the best goalkeeper in the world for many years. He’s taken goalkeeping to a new level and follows in the tradition of great FC Bayern keepers like Sepp Maier and Oliver Kahn. Sven has not least shown his class in recent months, when Manuel was out. He’s also an important integrative factor in the dressing room with his calm and open manner"