Borussia Dortmund has tied another key player to the club long term: defender Marcel Schmelzer signed a contract this Monday morning until the 30.June, 2021.

Schmelzer said: "I am very happy to continue to be an integral part of this team full of strong characters and this incomparable club in the future. Borussia Dortmund is and remains my sporting home and this area has been the place where my family and I have felt at home for years."

The 28 year old has been playing for Borussia Dortmund for nearly eleven years, he won the championship with BVB in 2011, he won the league title and DFB Cup double in 2012 and he has been one of the driving forces as an attacking left back in four further big finals between 2013 (UEFA Champions League) and 2016 (all in the DFB Cup).

Hans-Joachim Watzke, Borussia Dortmund's CEO, emphasised: „Marcel Schmelzer is not just one of the strongest left backs in Europe, but he is also a wonderful person who shows just as much respect and affection towards BVB as we show him. 

Schmelzer came to Borussia Dortmund from 1. FC Magdeburg as a 17 year old in 2005 and worked his way up from the A-Youth and U23 teams to the first team squad, which he has been part of since 2008. He played his first of so far 196 Bundesliga games on the 16.August, 2008.

BVB Sporting Director Michael Zorc was very clear in his statement when he said: "Marcel Schmelzer is a player whom we have developed through our own youth academy. He is a real Borussia lad, he totally identifies with the club, he is very highly regarded on a sporting level and this season he has made another step forward. We are very much looking forward to the future with Marcel by our side."

New BVB total!-Video: Schmelle extends to 2021