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OFFICIAL: Leon Goretzka has extended his contract at FC Bayern until 2026

  /  Levvy

Leon Goretzka has committed to Bayern Munich until 2026 after the German midfielder was linked with a move to Manchester United over the summer.

The Bavarian club confirmed on Thursday that Goretzka's existing deal, which was set to expire in June next year, has now been extended by another four years.

The 26-year-old, who has won three Bundesliga titles and the Champions League while in Munich, was also linked to Real Madrid over the summer.

United were in the market for a central midfielder over the summer and negotiations over Goretzka's new contract were delayed as interest was gauged.

But the move didn't materialise and now Goretzka will be staying at Bayern for the foreseeable future, adding to his 118 matches for the club since signing from Schalke in 2018.

Bayern have been busy extending the contracts of their key personnel over the past year with Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich also signing new deals and Goretzka is the latest.

Goretzka said: 'We've won everything there is to win over the past three years. But what would be even better than winning titles is confirming and repeating these successes. We want to build on this in the coming years.

'The team, the club and the environment are not just highly professional, but also familiar.

'This mixture is one of the things that guarantees success at this club. I'm very happy to be extending my contract until 2026.'

It's another boost in what was already a good week for Bayern following their 3-0 win away to Barcelona in their opening Champions League group match.

They have also remained unbeaten in their opening four Bundesliga games under new coach Julian Nagelsmann and laid down a marker in their bid to win a 10th straight title with a 4-1 win over rivals RB Leipzig last Saturday.

Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn said: 'It's crucial for the development of FC Bayern that we keep our top performers long term.

'To be successful as a club, we need players who are permanently motivated - and Leon Goretzka doesn't need to be told about motivation. He always wants to improve and has the ambition to shape an era at FC Bayern.

'This contract extension is also a sign Leon is convinced we'll continue to be as successful in the future as we have been in the past.'Bayern's board member for sport Hasan Salihamidzic added: 'Leon has become a key player at FC Bayern and a face of this team. I'm very happy we'll be working together for the next five years.

'Leon is a source of energy on and off the pitch. He has great technique and dynamism and is a particularly dangerous midfielder who can decide games.'

Hasan Salihamidžić: "We are very happy that Leon Goretzka has extended his contract until 2026.  Leon has become a starter at FC Bayern and a face of this team. I am very happy that we will continue to work together for the next five years."

Goretzka: "The team, the club and the environment are not only highly professional, but also familiar. This mixture is a guarantee of success of this club. I am very happy to have extended my contract until 2026."