Sami Hyypiä has extended his contract with UEFA Europa League hopefuls Bayer 04 Leverkusen by a further year, opting to stay at the club until June 2012.

The 36-year-old centre-back's previous deal was set to expire at the end of the current campaign, but after making 32 Bundesliga appearances last season he has been offered extended terms, with an option to move into coaching at the club afterwards. Leverkusen, who signed Hyypiä following his ten years of service for Liverpool FC last summer, will open their UEFA Europa League group-stage campaign at home against Rosenborg BK on 16 September. Holders Club Atlético de Madrid and Aris Thessaloniki FC are also in Group B.