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On Tuesday, Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender signed a contract extension with Borussia Dortmund until 2021.
Bender first joined Dortmund in 2009 and enjoyed consecutive Bundesliga titles under Jurgen Klopp in 2011 and 2012. The Germany international and defensive midfielder has made 143 appearances in the Bundesliga with Dortmund and has scored four goals.
However, Bender has been plagued by injury the last couple years, only appearing in 50 of 90 league matches in that span. He has started just six times this seasons.
Sven Bender bleibt bis 2021 beim BVB. https://t.co/CQ9TKNhVQ5 pic.twitter.com/D8AHQmgwtC
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) February 23, 2016
Dortmund Chief Executive Hanz-Joachim Watzke expressed his content about the new deal while BVB Sporting Director Michael Zorc described Bender as "a cornerstone" for the side both on and off the pitch.
In a statement released by Dortmund's official website, Bender shared his thoughts about the new deal.
I am incredibly happy that I will continue to wear the black and yellow jersey in the future. I would be delighted if one or two of my teammates were to follow me in the next few weeks.
Marcel Schmelzer, Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all have contracts set to expire at the end of the season, and it is likely that a couple of players will join Bender in signing a contract extension.