Stefan Kießling joined Leverkusen from 1. FC Nürnberg in 2006 and has scored 126 league goals for the club. - © © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA
Stefan Kießling joined Leverkusen from 1. FC Nürnberg in 2006 and has scored 126 league goals for the club. - © © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA

Kiessling signs new Leverkusen deal

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Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker Stefan Kießling has signed a new contract with the club until 2018.

'I'll give my all'

The 32-year-old’s previous deal was due to expire in the summer of 2017, but will now remain at the BayArena for a further two seasons.

“I’m delighted that the club can still rely on me and place its trust in me,” said the six-time Germany international. “I’ll obviously give my all for the club – as I always have – and set myself high standards. It’s still my ambition to win a trophy here.”

Sporting director Rudi Völler added: “Stefan has always delivered for us in the years that he’s been here. He has to continue to do that, and he will. He’s a really important player for us – on the pitch and in the dressing room – and his experience in our young team cannot be valued enough.”

Kießling joined Leverkusen almost a decade ago in the summer of 2006 and has scored 126 goals in 312 Bundesliga appearances for Die Werkself. This season he has found his playing time in the first team somewhat restricted since the arrival of Mexican international Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez - scorer of 25 goals in all competitions - but Kießling has still managed seven goals this season, four of which have come in the Bundesliga.

Club CEO Michael Schade also confirmed that Kießling will remain involved with the club at the end of his playing career. "Stefan is someone the fans identify with and we absolutely want to keep him here. For that reason, we'll find a role for him here when he hangs up his boots. The club's door will always be open to him. He simply belongs at Bayer 04."