Daijiworld Media Network - Munich
Munich, Jul 29: FC Bayern Munich have officially extended the contract of veteran goalkeeper Sven Ulreich by one year, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2026, as confirmed by the club on Monday.
Ulreich, now 36, first joined Bayern in 2015 from VfB Stuttgart after making 222 appearances for the club. Though he has spent most of his time serving as the dependable backup to Manuel Neuer, his role at Bayern has been deeply valued — both on and off the pitch.
His standout season came in 2017–18 when Neuer was sidelined with a metatarsal injury. Ulreich stepped up admirably, featuring in 29 Bundesliga matches and keeping 12 clean sheets, playing a pivotal role in Bayern's march to a sixth consecutive league title.
After a brief one-year stint with Hamburger SV in 2020, Ulreich returned to Bayern and has since clocked 103 competitive appearances for the German champions. His trophy haul includes:
• 9 Bundesliga titles
• 3 DFB Cups
• 6 DFL Supercups
• 1 UEFA Champions League
• 1 UEFA Super Cup
Despite Neuer continuing as Bayern’s undisputed first-choice keeper and the club currently loaning out both Daniel Peretz and Alexander Nübel, the decision to extend Ulreich’s contract indicates Bayern’s desire to retain his experience and leadership in the dressing room. While Jonas Urbig is expected to be Neuer’s main understudy this season, Ulreich is likely to serve as a seasoned third-choice option.
There had been speculation that Ulreich was considering retirement and a potential transition into a non-playing role at the club. However, the extension signals that both parties felt there was still more to contribute — even if from the sidelines.
Bayern’s board member for sport, Max Eberl, praised the veteran's consistency and character, saying:
“Sven Ulreich is reliability personified: he delivers what he promises — in the truest sense of the word. Characters like him are good for any team. We're delighted he'll be spending another season with us.”
Ulreich's continued presence provides Bayern not only with goalkeeping depth but also with a seasoned figure whose professionalism has long been respected within the squad.