Gomez going nowhere at Stuttgart

German champions VfB Stuttgart have extended young striker Mario Gomez's contract for another year until the summer of 2012.

'Long-term plans'
The 22-year-old German international's existing deal was due to expire in 2011 but the club's sporting director Host Heldt confirmed to a meeting of club members on Monday night that an extended deal has been agreed, ending speculation about a possible transfer for the player. "We are happy that Mario decided in favour of a future with Stuttgart and our long-term plans include him," Heldt explained.

Star performer
Gomez was one of Stuttgart's stars of the season as they claimed the title, and a place in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stage, scoring 14 goals in 25 Bundesliga appearances. He was no less impressive for the national team with three goals in his first three full international appearances. At the same meeting at which Stuttgart announced their new deal with Gomez, president Erwin Staudt was handed another four-year mandate.