Thomas Mueller has extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2024, it was announced yesterday, with the Germany international set to spend his entire professional career at the Bundesliga champions, who he joined as a 10-year-old.
“The journey we have taken together since I joined the youth team in 2000 has been a fantastic success story so far,” said Mueller, 32, who won a record 11th league title with the Bavarians this season. “So let’s continue it together,” added the 2014 World Cup winner, who has made 112 appearances for Germany since his international debut in 2010.
Mueller as well as top-scorer Robert Lewandowski, Bayern captain Manuel Neuer and winger Serge Gnabry, were due to be out of contract in 2023. He is the first of the quartet to extend their deals amid speculation Lewandowski could leave at the end of the season with Barcelona reportedly a possible destination.
Bayern chief executive Oliver Kahn describes Mueller as “an identification figure who carries the emblem of our club in his heart. “He’s someone who takes leadership, plus he’s an important character with his manner in the dressing room,” Kahn added.
Since turning pro with Bayern in 2008, Mueller has made 624 appearances, scoring 226 goals and creating 242 more. He was also part of Bayern squads which won the Champions League title in both 2013 and 2020.

Wales international Brooks says he is free of cancer
Wales and Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks said yesterday he is cancer-free, nearly seven months after being diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. The 24-year-old, who was diagnosed with the form of cancer in October, said he was looking forward to continuing his career.
Brooks has played 21 times for Wales, with 90 appearances for Bournemouth since joining from Sheffield United in 2018. “Last week I met with my specialist having reviewed my final test results. I am delighted to say the treatment was successful and I can now say that I have been given the all clear and am now cancer free,” Brooks said in a statement on Twitter.
 “Those words feel incredible to say...  would like to say a huge thank you to all of the incredible medical staff for their amazing work and support throughout the process. I am so excited to start the journey back to full fitness and continuing my football career... I am determined to work my hardest over the months ahead and I can’t wait to be back out there.”
Bournemouth, who play in the second-tier Championship, will be looking to seal a return to the Premier League when they host promotion rivals Nottingham Forest in a late match last night.
Bournemouth are currently in the second automatic promotion spot with 82 points, three clear of third-placed Forest with two games remaining. They are eight points behind champions Fulham.

Eriksen may stay beyond this season: Brentford boss Frank
Brentford manager Thomas Frank said he thinks they have a good chance of keeping talismanic playmaker Christian Eriksen beyond this season and that the club will do everything it can to keep him.
Denmark international Eriksen, who needed life-saving treatment on the pitch last June when he collapsed in a European Championship match against Finland, returned to action with Brentford after signing a short-term deal in January.
The 30-year-old’s former club Inter Milan ended his contract in December as he was not allowed to play in Serie A because of his heart starter device.
British media have linked him with a return to his former side Tottenham Hotspur, with Newcastle United and Manchester United also among the clubs reported to be interested, but Frank said Brentford were not out of the running.
I am always positive,” he said when asked about keeping Eriksen, who has scored a goal and made two assists in the league since his return. “I always believe we have a very good chance. I know he is happy here, he is enjoying his football. It is a decision that will be taken at the end of the season.”
Frank hailed Manchester United fans for giving Eriksen a standing ovation when he took two corners at Old Trafford during Monday’s 3-0 defeat.
“That was a nice touch and (shows) what football can do when we think about greater things,” Frank said. “The key is he performs consistently at a high level ... It’s no secret we would like to do everything we can to keep him.”