Germany international Per Mertesacker has extended his contract with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen until 2012.

The 23-year-old underlined his commitment to the northern German club by signing the paperwork while on duty with the national team at Euro 2008.

"Werder want to achieve big things with me and I want to achieve them with Werder, so the situation is ideal," said the central defender.

Mertesacker was persuaded to commit his future to Bremen following talks with the club's director of sport Klaus Allofs on Friday.

Allofs said: "By signing a new contract early, Per has sent out an important signal.

"To commit himself to Werder now for the long term shows how highly both parties value each other."

Mertesacker joined Bremen in 2006 in a swap deal involving former Germany international Frank Fahrenhorst.

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