Franck Ribery will sign a one-year contract through 2019

At 35 years old, Franck Ribery simply refuses to quit. His efforts have not gone unnoticed by the front office of Bayern Munich, nor now will they go unrewarded. According to information obtained by Kicker, Ribery and Bayern have come to terms on a one-year contract that will keep the Frenchman in Munich through June 2019.

Ribery has apparently acknowledged and accepted the reality that Bayern’s younger, speedier wingers Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry will receive more playing time on the left wing. Kicker report that it was important to Bayern’s management that Ribery accept these terms, and he indicated that he will do so in the interest of the club’s collective success—while still competing for his place.

His performance against Sevilla FC today was not the stuff of legend, let alone a Ballon d’Or-deserving Ribery of old, but he has repeatedly shown flashes of his glory days with six goals and five assists across competitions, almost all of them coming after his recovery from a frightening knee injury in fall 2017.

Bayern had inquiries for Ribery from China, Qatar, and Turkey. Negotiations with Arjen Robben, who will likely also receive a one-year contract, have not yet concluded. Bayern are also negotiating with Rafinha, who has been offered a one-year contract, but wants an additional year.