Lizarazu stands by Bayern
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Article summary
French international defender Bixente Lizarazu has signed a new one-year contract with FC Bayern München.
Article body
Bixente Lizarazu has extended his contract with FC Bayern München until June 2004.
Experienced international
The 33-year-old defender, winner of the 1998 FIFA World Cup and EURO 2000™ with France, signed the one-year contract, which commits him to the German giants for a seventh season, on Wednesday after talks with Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and his deputy, Uli Hoeness.
'Very proud'
Lizarazu’s contract was originally due to expire at the end of the season, and the player initially expressed doubts over whether he would renew it. "Becoming a free agent was an opportunity for me to change [clubs] or to find out if they still needed me at Bayern," he said. "The club asked me what I wanted to do and I felt they were happy with me and the job I have done for the last six years. Few foreign players stay at Bayern for so long, and I'm very proud of this."
European success
Lizarazu began his career with FC Girondins de Bordeaux in 1989, helping them to reach the UEFA Cup final in 1996 before moving to Athletic Club Bilbao. He left the Spanish side in 1997 to join Bayern, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2001. Lizarazu has won 79 caps for France.
