The chase for Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan is over as he has agreed to two-year extension with the club until June, 2016. According to Goal.com Gundogan said, “I am very grateful that my club gives me the opportunity to continue to be part of this special team and this very special environment. I will do everything to help my colleagues again soon and am very optimistic about the coming weeks and months.”
The 23-year old German midfielder had a very strong two years with the German club from 2011-2013 with 48 league starts and posting six goals and five assists. He was one of the key components along side Marco Reus, Mario Gotze, and Robert Lewandoski that managed to eliminate Real Madrid during the semi finals to reach the final of the UEFA Champions League and finish second in the league last season. Sadly, the young midfielder has been limited to one match this season due to major back problems this year. He has only played 56 Bundesliga minutes this season due to his back injury.
According to Sports Illustrated, Jurgen Klopp has recently explained that “time has run out” for him this year as there is a big possibility that he will be ruled out from the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Gundogan has fared quite well during some friendlies with the German International team and was hoping he could make the 23 man roster. Even before the injury, he has displayed great ball skills and vision on the pitch that gives him that edge to be an excellent elite distributing midfielder, if he can remain healthy that is, but he is young and can always come back from the injury.
His contract extension is key for the club as they try to hold onto their key players who might be looking elsewhere. His contract renewal has ended speculation about his future, signaling other clubs who have been chasing for his signature of his intent to stay at Borussia Dortmund. BVB has a couple of young players they want to keep after their recent success in the past couple of years. He is the first of possibly many to secure his future with the club. This can and will possibly make it easier to bring in new additions during the summer so they can contend for trophies next season.
Photo Courtesy of Helios De La Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images