BERLIN, June 1 (Xinhua) -- VfB Stuttgart has extended Germany striker Deniz Undav's contract until 2029, with an option for one further year, the club announced on Monday.
Undav, 29, who had been under contract until 2027, has become one of Stuttgart's leading figures since first arriving on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2023, before making the move permanent.
Undav scored 25 goals and set up 14 more in 46 games last season, making him the highest-scoring German striker of the campaign and helping Stuttgart qualify for the Champions League for the second time since 2024.
Across three seasons, Undav has made 117 competitive appearances, scoring 57 goals and providing 30 assists. He also developed into a vice-captain and crowd favorite during a spell that included a Bundesliga runner-up finish, last year's German Cup success and renewed Champions League qualification.
"I am very happy that my path in Stuttgart is continuing," Undav said. "The early contract extension means an enormous amount to me. The club and the city have become something like a second home for me over the past three years."
Stuttgart chief executive Alexander Wehrle said Undav had been "a key factor" in the club's success and occupied "a central role on and off the pitch". "We are very pleased that we were able to agree an early contract extension with Deniz before the start of the World Cup," Wehrle said.
Sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth said the original loan deal had "far exceeded" expectations, adding that Undav's rise to Germany international and World Cup squad member was linked with Stuttgart's recent achievements.
Undav has scored six goals in eight Germany appearances and is part of the 26-man World Cup squad. He scored twice and assisted another goal in Germany's 4-0 friendly win over Finland.
He also scored in Stuttgart's German Cup final win over Arminia Bielefeld last year and has contributed in Europe, including three goals and six assists in the Europa League campaign. ■
