Bremen reward Zetterer with new long-term deal

After displacing long-time keeper Jiri Pavlenka earlier this season, 28-year-old Michael Zetterer has kept his hold on Werder Bremen's #1 spot between the sticks. The Munich-native has started every league match for Ole Werner's Hanseaten since match-day eight. As the season draws to a close, the club was pleased to award Zetterer with a new long-term contract. Werder did not disclose the terms of the new deal.

"We are delighted that Michael has decided to continue his career at Werder Bremen," SV personnel chief Clemens Fritz noted in a statement, "Zetti has developed superbly and is also important for the team off the pitch. He will be entering his tenth season at Werder in the summer. That's a long time, and it hasn't always been easy for him due to a few injuries. But he has always remained positive and has never lost sight of his goal. That has paid off for him."

"After such a long time at this club, I'm happy and proud to have extended my contract with Werder Bremen for the long-term and for the first time as #1," the player himself added, "I'll continue to give my all for Werder in the Bundesliga in the coming years to achieve our goals. Many thanks to everyone involved and to the fans for their fantastic support over the last few weeks and months. See you at the Weserstadion!"

Zetterer joined Werder from SpVgg Unterhaching in 2015. He was loaned out to developmental locales Klagenfurt (Austria) and PEC Zwolle (Holland) prior to ascending to his current level. Since taking the reins from Pavlenka, Zetterer's estimated market worth has quintupled up to €2.5 million in the latest transfermarkt update.