体坛英语新闻：Bayern Munich extend contracts with Ribery and Van Buyten

BERLIN, June 6 (Xinhua) -- German giant Bayern Munich extended the contracts with Franck Ribery and Daniel van Buyten, the club said in a press release on Thursday.

Bayern extended Frenchmen Ribery's contract for two years ahead of schedule, to keep him with the Bavarians until 2017 whereas the Belgian international added one year to his expiring contract.

"We are pleased to continue collaboration with two key players of our squad. Franck and Daniel staged unbelievable performances the past season. They are both reliable players who often made the difference," Bayern CEO Karl- Heinz Rummenigge said.

The 30-year-old Ribery played a key role at Bayern's historic and record breaking treble. He scored 10 goals in 27 Bundesliga matches and one goal in 12 UEFA Champions League encounters. Besides that he made three games at the DFB Pokal and one at the DFL Supercup.

"I am delighted to continue here in Munich. I promised the supporters, now I put pen to paper. Bayern Munich became a second home for my family and me. I'm confident that there are titles to win and to defend with this team in the next years," Ribery said, who joined the Bavarians in 2007 from Olympique Marseille to score 53 goals in 156 games.

The 35-year-old central defender Daniel van Buyten commented his contract extension as follows: "We all know what we have here at Bayern. For a player there is no better, no more reliable and above all more successful club. I am glad to help the club with the title defence."

Van Buyten joined Bayern in 2006 from Hamburg to mark 19 goals in 146 appearances overall.