According to the club, Hannover 96 defender Steve Cherundolo has opted to spurn widespread interest by agreeing to a contract extension.
The 31 year-old is set to become a free agent on July 1st, but the Reds are claiming victory in the race for the US mainstay’s signature.
Hannover executive Martin Kind announced on Sunday that Cherundolo, currently busy on US duty at World Cup 2010, will officially sign the two-season deal when he returns from South Africa.
"This is a good decision for Cherundolo, a good decision for us," Kind told Schaumburger Nachtrichten. "It is a special situation, because he has already been with 96 a long time... he is a Red."
The Illinois native will continue to rank as the second longest serving current one-club man in the Bundesliga behind Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Ola Nikolov.
A veteran of 293 league matches in Germany, Cherundolo will take part in his 12th season with Hannover 96 beginning in August.
According to his agent, the right back had been the subject of summer interest from AS Roma and FC Nürnberg, as well as clubs in England, France and Spain.
On Monday morning, various German outlets were reporting that the new deal contains an option year through 2013 and will see Cherundolo keep his captaincy.
US set to face five-time World Cup champ Brazil in AugustEmery agrees to stay
