Ramelow stays with Bayer

Bayer Leverkusen ace Carsten Ramelow has agreed a new deal at the BayArena.

The tough-tackling midfielder's current deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but the club have moved to tie him down to a new contract.

Ramelow has signed a new three-year deal to keep him at the club until 2008.

The former German international has also been offered a coaching role at Bayer when he quits his playing career.

Bayer general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser was delighted to be able to keep Ramelow.

"Carsten's decision to extend his contract here at Bayer is an important signal for the future," said Holzhauser