Kadlec extends Leverkusen contract

Bayer 04 Leverkusen defender Michal Kadlec has extended his stay with the German outfit after accepting terms on a two-year contract extension.

Kadlec, who has made 91 Bundesliga appearances since joining Leverkusen from AC Sparta Praha in 2008/09, has agreed to remain at the BayArena until the summer of 2015. He has featured in all three of Leverkusen's UEFA Champions League Group E matches.

"I feel really good here and have established myself as a regular and developed my game," said the Czech international, a double goalscorer in his country's 4-1 defeat of Lithuania which booked their UEFA EURO 2012 play-off place. "At Bayer I have a big chance to continue playing on the international stage and keep myself in contention for the Czech team."

The 26-year-old is normally deployed at left-back but is equally adept in midfield, a quality that has brought praise from Leverkusen chief executive Wolfgang Holzhäuser. "Michal gives our team stability and adds dynamism to our game," he said. "He has been a key player in recent years."

Sporting director Rudi Völler added: "Michal has a lot of experience and is surely one of the best in his position in the Bundesliga. Left-backs of his class are hard to find." Leverkusen sit second in Group E on six points, one adrift of leaders Chelsea FC.