With continuity vital for the club's youth development, Borussia Dortmund are prematurely extending the contract of Youth Coordinator Lars Ricken until 2021.

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"This decision is only logical. Our youth teams have developed very well. At every level between U14 and U19 our teams have finished in first place, with one exception," emphasised BVB Chief Executive Officer, Hans-Joachim Watzke. That was the U16 team, which is currently third in the B-Youth Westphalia League. However, they are one of only two teams in the division playing with the "young year group" (German youth categories are spread across two years groups). "Our U17s have recently become German champions twice; the U19s reached the final yesterday. Lars Ricken has contributed to this success," said Watzke.

The 39-year-old Ricken has been in the role of Youth Coordinator at Borussia Dortmund since July 2008. Between 1990 and February 2009 - after he had begun his current position - he wore the black and yellow of BVB and was the club's most successful player of all time, having won the Bundesliga in 1995, 1996 and 2002, as well as the Champions League and Club World Cup in 1997. He finished as a World Cup runner-up with the German national team back in 2002.

"Lars Ricken is now in his 26th year at Borussia Dortmund. You rarely see such strong loyalty to one club," explained Watzke. "Lars has become a German champion with both the A-Youth team as well as the first-team squad and as Youth Coordinator," pointed out Sporting Director Michael Zorc in recognition of his former team-mate's achievements, before adding: "We are delighted to be continuing this successful cooperation in the long term."