Sami Hyypia has agreed to extend his contract with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen by an extra year before then joining the coaching team.
The Finnish defender joined the club last summer from Liverpool and made an instant impact with his experience in the centre of the defence last season.
His original deal was due to expire next summer, but the 36-year-old feels he can play on for another year before ending his career.
As part of his new contract, he will in 2012 join the coaching team on a two-year contract.
"We are glad that such a key player and symbol of our team like Sami has been tied down to us for a longer term," said Bayer's general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser on his club's website.
Hyypia has made 33 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen and should make that 34 in today's local derby with Borussia Monchengladbach.
