Bayern Munich's back-up goalkeeper Sven Ulreich has signed a one-year contract extension to remain at the Allianz Arena until the end of next season.

The 34-year-old has played second fiddle to Manuel Neuer throughout his six-and-a-half seasons with Bayern, spanning over two spells either side of a season with Hamburg.

Ulreich has played 86 times for Bayern, compared to 284 outings for Neuer over that period, with the majority of his games coming in the 2017-18 campaign when the Germany great was injured.

He has featured eight times so far this campaign and recently outlined his intention to agree fresh terms with the Bavarian giants.

Bayern confirmed on their website on Friday that Ulreich has officially put pen to paper on a new deal, ensuring he will stay in place beyond the end of the current campaign.

"I'm very happy to stay on at FC Bayern," Ulreich said. "The cooperation with the whole team and especially with Manuel Neuer has grown into something special over many years. 

"We're perfectly attuned to each other and I really enjoy my job. FC Bayern knows that I'm always there when they need me. 

"The goal is to win more titles, that's what we're all here for, that's what we give everything for every day."

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic added: "This contract extension shows the sporting value Sven has for our team. 

"He was and always is a reliable performer when needed, but also in the changing room. 

"It's hugely important for us that he's been very well attuned with Manuel Neuer in the training group of our goalkeepers for years. 

"They both support each other, and we need that in this important position. I'm happy we'll continue working together."

Sven Ulreich is enjoying one of those rare spells where everyone at Bayern Munich depends on his safe hands, and the loyal deputy to Manuel Neuer hopes this will not prove to be his final season at the club.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper – two years Neuer's junior – has played second fiddle to the Germany great throughout his time at Bayern.

This is Ulreich's seventh season with the Bundesliga champions, with his Bayern career broken up by one year away at Hamburg in 2020-21, where he spent a campaign as a first-team regular, albeit in Germany's second tier.

Ulreich was a Bayern mainstay in the 2017-18 season, but that was only because Neuer fractured a foot, keeping him out for almost the entire campaign.

The former Stuttgart number one has been a dutiful Bayern stand-in when called upon, as he has been in recent weeks with Neuer sidelined by a shoulder problem. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann last week said he has "a lot of trust" in his second choice.

On Tuesday in Milan, Ulreich was due to face Inter in the Champions League, making an eighth appearance of the season. Given Neuer is back in training and on the comeback trail, Ulreich may not get a ninth game for some time.

With Ulreich entering the final months of his Bayern contract, he is hoping there could be an extension in the offing. Recent first-team exposure should help his cause, with Bayern having won every game where he has featured so far this term, going into the Inter game.

"I've always said that I'm having fun and enjoying myself here," Ulreich told Sky Sport Germany. "I think we'll talk about it at some point. It's still too early, but I can very well imagine staying here.

"I'll be 35 next year. There won't be too much coming. But I'm not thinking about the end of my career just yet. I still plan to play for two years.

"As long as you're healthy and having fun, you should play on and you shouldn't say no. I'm currently healthy and fit."

Julian Nagelsmann is aiming to have Manuel Neuer back in his Bayern Munich team for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Salzburg.

Neuer has missed more than a month with a knee injury, last playing against RB Leipzig on February 5.

Since then, Bayern have kept only one clean sheet in five matches, conceding four at Bochum in the first match without their captain.

Stand-in Sven Ulreich has still been steady – saving only 61.1 per cent of shots on target faced but preventing 0.4 goals and not committing any errors leading to goals – yet Nagelsmann is keen to have Neuer available.

"If there is no reaction in his knee overnight, he will be able to play," Nagelsmann told a pre-match news conference.

"We are all very happy about that – even if Ulle [Ulreich] has done well."

If the identity of his goalkeeper is dependent on medical advice, Nagelsmann has trickier calls to make in attack, where Leroy Sane's past two appearances have come from the bench.

Sane has 13 goals and 12 assists in 34 games this season, although 12 of his goals have come in his 27 starts – and he has made every Champions League XI so far.

"He's a player I don't like to leave out because he has the quality that has already won us games," Nagelsmann said of Sane.

"I haven't decided yet what the first XI will look like. Of course, he is a candidate.

"I hope he's in the best shape if he plays from the start. He's an incredible player who can't really be defended when he plays to the limit. He has my confidence, even if he doesn't start."

Nagelsmann accepted Bayern can only have a "special season" if they continue their Champions League run beyond this tie, which is level at 1-1 ahead of the home leg.

And he will not allow his team to be complacent against Salzburg, who threatened an upset in Austria, where Kingsley Coman equalised in the 90th minute.

"Salzburg have been a good team for years – they have a very clear idea about how to win the ball," Nagelsmann added.

"It's never easy to defend that. It may not be the prettiest, but it is very dangerous.

"They have a lot of interesting individual players and have the quality to play football.

"They would also do well in the German Bundesliga because they have a lot of good players who are hungry and want to win something. They are a dangerous team who will demand everything from us."

Bayern Munich have confirmed that goalkeeper Alexander Nubel will spend the next two seasons on loan at Monaco.

And the German champions have brought Sven Ulreich back to the club on a free transfer in order to fill the newly created vacancy behind first choice Manuel Neuer.

Nubel, who signed from Schalke in June 2020, took on that role last term and ultimately made just four appearances across all competitions.

The 24-year-old is considered a long-term successor to Neuer but had made clear to Bayern his desire to play more regularly next season.

As sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic explained: "It was Alexander Nubel's wish to gain match practice. We supported that."

Nubel joins Monaco on a two-year deal with Bayern reserving the right to recall the player at the end of the coming season.

Of his move, the German said: "I'm pleased to be taking the next step in my development at Monaco. 

"It's important to play at a high level, and now I've got that chance at Monaco. I'd like to thank the officials at Bayern Munich for this opportunity. My big goal is to repay their trust in the future."

Ulreich returns as a free agent after his contract with Hamburg, where he spent just one season, was terminated by mutual agreement.

Prior to joining the 2.Bundesliga club, the 32-year-old spent five years with Bayern Munich, whom he signed for from Stuttgart.

Salihamidzic said of the goalkeeper's return: "The condition was that we could sign a serious back-up. 

"Our goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic advised us about Sven Ulreich, and we're pleased we could reach an agreement with Sven. 

"This combined situation is very appealing. It helps everyone involved and fits within our financial framework because Sven returns on a free. 

"FC Bayern continues to plan for the future with Alexander Nubel."

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