Winger Karim Bellarabi extends stay at Leverkusen

Berlin: Bayer Leverkusen and winger Karim Bellarabi have agreed on a contract extension ahead of schedule, the German football club announced.

The German international, whose old contract remained effective until 2017, penned a new five-year deal Friday, which keeps him at Leverkusen until 2020.

"Under coach Roger Schmidt I made a huge step in my development. Under his guidance, and his system, I have become a better player," Bellarabi told the clubs's official website. 

"In previous years, in which I struggled with persistent injuries and played on loan at Braunschweig, I knew Bayer Leverkusen still believes in me."

The 24-year-old winger joined Leverkusen in 2011, despite an ankle injury, from second division side Braunschweig. Since his arrival he has scored 10 goals in 49 appearances for Leverkusen. 

In the 2013-2014 season he returned to Braunschweig to earn more experience before he rejoined Leverkusen this season to become a key player.

"After returning from his loan spell at Braunschweig his performances exceeded all our expectations. It's not for nothing that he earned his first call up for Germany under Roger Schmidt. Karim became a top-notch player with outstanding capabilities," Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller said.

Bellarabi earned his first call up for Germany's national team in October 2014, making his first appearance for Germany in the qualifying competition for the UEFA Euro 2016 against Poland. He made overall four international caps to date.

Leverkusen sit currently on the sixth place of the Bundesliga standings. They face in-form FC Augsburg at the 22nd round Saturday.