Butt staying but Kraft to go

Butt staying but Kraft to go

Published May. 3, 2011 1:37 p.m. ET

Bayern Munich have confirmed goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt has signed a one-year contract extension, but Thomas Kraft will leave in the summer.

Butt, who will turn 37 later this month, has penned a new deal to keep him at the Allianz Arena until June 2012.

"Jorg Butt is a first-class goalkeeper," chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

"I am very pleased that he will stay at Bayern for another year. This is also the wish of our new coach Jupp Heynckes."

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Butt lost his place to Kraft after the winter break under Louis van Gaal, but a number of high-profile errors have raised questions over the 22-year-old's suitability for the role.

Kraft's contract expires at the end of the season and, with Bayern making no secret of their desire to sign Schalke's Manual Neuer, has decided to move on.

"Thomas Kraft's understandable target is to be number one," sporting director Christian Nerlinger said.

"We wish Thomas all the best and much success in his sporting and personal future."

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