Days after extending Tamas Hajnal and Christian Gentner, Stuttgart was back at it securing the services of defenders Gotoku Sakai and Georg Niedermeier though the summer of 2016.
Stuttgart extend the contracts of Gotoku Sakai and Georg Niedermeier through 2016
Defenders Gotoku Sakai and Georg Niedermeier have extended their stay at the Mercedes Benz Arena through 2016.
Alex Grimm
Sakai, 21, has started twenty one games in all competitions for Stuttgart this season with twenty of those coming at his preferred right back position. The New York born, Japanese international was on loan through June 2013 from Albirex Niigata, but Stuttgart chose to go ahead and make the loan a permanent move.
“I feel right at home at VfB and I am really delighted about this contract extension. I was accepted here with open arms and have the opportunity to play at a fantastic club in one of the best leagues in Europe. I will continue to give my all to ensure we are as successful as possible with VfB.”
Niedermeier, 26, has been with Stuttgart since 2009. His previous contract was set to expire in the summer of 2014. The centerback has started twenty matches this season and has become Bruno Labbadia's preferred partner next to Serdar Tasci as Francisco "Maza" Rodriguez fell out of favor with the club. Maza has moved back to Mexico and Club America in the winter break.
“I have established myself in the Bundesliga with VfB. The club has grown very close to my heart and I still have a lot that I want to achieve here. I want to continue to develop as a leader and play at international level with this team. I look forward to giving my all to achieve that in the coming years.”
Defense hasn’t been one of Stuttgart’s strong points this season, and they have one of the worst defensive records at the winter break. Still, Stuttgart are only five points back of the Champions League places in the Bundesliga, and they have advanced to the Round of 32 of the Europa League and the Quarterfinals of the DFB Pokal.
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