Sawt Falasteen - Dortmund defender Schlotterbeck extends contract until 2031

German media reported the new deal makes Schlotterbeck, 26, the club's top earner and includes a release clause available only to a limited amount of clubs which will be active after the World Cup.

Arriving from Freiburg in 2022, Schlotterbeck has become one of Dortmund's core players and captains the club in the absence of injured skipper Emre Can.

The announcement comes less than a fortnight after Schlotterbeck said the surprise departure of Dortmund's sporting director Sebastian Kehl would likely delay the negotiations.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have extended my contract with Dortmund. I deliberately took my time with the decision because it's an important one for me," Schlotterbeck said in a statement.

Yet to lift any major silverware, Schlotterbeck said his goal was to "win titles together with Borussia Dortmund."

The deal is the first major achievement of new Dortmund sporting director Ole Book, who Friday called Schlotterbeck "one of the best centre-backs in the world".

An attack-minded defender, the left-footed Schlotterbeck has made 155 appearances for Dortmund, scoring 10 goals.

At international level, he has established himself at the heart of Julian Nagelsmann's defence, having played 25 times for Germany. He is considered a guaranteed starter at this summer's World Cup.

K.AbuDahab--SF-PST