Tom Starke expected to sign one year contract extension

Here’s a statement that might blow your mind: Tom Starke joined Bayern Munich way back in the summer of 2012. It now seems that Starke will sign another one year contract with Bayern to finish out his playing career before moving on to a potential coaching role.

The giant goalkeeper was Manuel Neuer’s backup goalkeeper during the treble winning season and Pep Guardiola’s first in Munich. However, since that time, he’s been relegated to the club's third goalkeeper behind first Pepe Reina and now Sven Ulreich. Still, he wants to stay and teammates want him around the team.

"Tom is a super guy, it's fun to practice with him," Manuel Neuer said when asked about the potential news. "I'm happy for him, and I'm also happy for my own sake. It's good for the team, it's good for practice and for our goalie practice."

Starke has previously said that he’d prefer to remain at Bayern for the final year of his playing career. He’s been working with Bayern’s U-14 team when not training with the first team. According to one report, Starke will finish his career next summer, and Bayern will move young goalkeeping talent Christian Früchtl into the third goalkeeper position after signing his professional contract.