Bayern defender Rafinha extends contract for a season

Bayern Munich have announced the contract extension of defender Rafinha, who has agreed to stay with the German football champions till June 30, 2018.

"The 31-year-old's current contract was scheduled to expire at the end of the current season, but FC Bayern have exercised an option in the player's contract extending it by a further year," Bayern said in a statement on Friday.

Rafinha joined from Italian side Genoa in the summer 2011. He made ever since 186 appearances and provided four goals. The former Schalke player scored overall 10 goals in 277 Bundesliga matches, reports Xinhua.

"Rafinha is an important player on the pitch but also a very popular person within the team," Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

Rafinha told the club's official homepage: "I am very happy about my contract extension. I have been here for almost six years. Bayern is for me my second family and one of the best clubs in the world. I want to win as many titles as possible."

Rafinha was from 2008 until 2014 part of Brazil's national team where he played two competitive matches.

Bayern Munich sit atop the Bundesliga standings. They face last placed Darmstadt at the 15th round on Sunday.

--IANS

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