Bayer Leverkusen defender Manuel Friedrich has agreed a new two-year extension to his contract, with an option for a further year.

The 30-year-old's current deal was due to expire at the end of this season, but chief executive Wolfgang Holzhauser revealed the new contract has been successfully thrashed out.

Holzhauser told Bild: "Over the Christmas break, we have achieved an agreement with his advisors. All that is missing is his signature.

"We are glad we can keep Friedrich with us for three more years, he has earned this contract extension."

The Germany international, who signed from Mainz in 2007, will commit himself to the club initially until 2012, with Holzhauser adding: "We have found a compromise, in the third year the conditions are performance-based."