Gerber commits to Stuttgart
Friday, January 9, 2004
Article summary
VfB Stuttgart coach Felix Magath has secured left-sided defender Heiko Gerber on a new three-year contract.
Article body
Left-sided defender Heiko Gerber has signed a new contract which will keep him at VfB Stuttgart until 2007.
Three-year deal
Despite losing his place in the starting lineup to gifted youngster Philipp Lahm, the 31-year-old had no hesitation in signing a new three-year deal. "I like being here and therefore I think that I made the right decision to stay," said Gerber, who played twice as Stuttgart negotiated the UEFA Champions League group stage to win through to a knockout meeting with Chelsea FC.
Magath pleased
Coach Felix Magath was similarly delighted that the twice-capped German international would not be leaving the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion. "Heiko is a player that I know I can rely on fully," he said. "He can play almost anywhere on the left side and I am extremely pleased that he is staying." Gerber joined Stuttgart from 1. FC Nürnberg in 1999 and has made 100 Bundesliga appearances for the club.