Germany U-19 footballer Leroy Sane extends contract with Schalke

Leroy Sane has committed his future to Schalke until June 2019

Gelsenkirchen (Germany), July 25 (IANS) German football club FC Schalke has extended the contract of Leroy Sane until 2019, the Bundesliga outfit announced on Saturday.

The 19-year-old German Under-19 international, who can play as an attacking midfielder or as a forward signed his first professional contract with Schalke last summer. The deal which was to keep him at the club until 2017 has now put pen to paper on a contract extension until June 2019, according to Schalke’s official website.

"Leroy is a very talented player. He showed us last season how versatile he can be in our offence. Given his development and great potential we are pleased that Leroy sees his future at Schalke," club sporting director Horst Held said.

Sane played three years for Schalke's youth teams before he turned professional in April 2014. He mainly impressed for the club’s Under-19 side helping them clinch the German Championship for the 2014/15 season though he did have his moments with the first team as well.

He scored three goals in 14 Bundesliga appearances, but his standout game was undoubtedly the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid. He impressed after coming on in the 29^th minute as a substitute and capped off a memorable European debut with a goal to equalise the match at 3-3 and then setting up former Los Blancos striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for the winning goal on the night.

Sane started off his career at SG Wattenscheid 09 before joining the Royal Blues in 2005 for an initial three-year spell. He left for Bayer Leverkusen in 2008 before joining Schalke again in the summer of 2011.

Schalke face SV Werder Bremen in the first round in Bundesliga on August 15.