Sami Hyypia will play for Bayer Leverkusen for another year before joining the coaching team at the Bundesliga club.

The Finnish defender joined the club last summer from Liverpool and made an instant impact with his experience in the centre of the defence last season.

His original deal was due to expire next summer, but the 36-year-old feels he can play on for another year before ending his career.

We are glad that such a key player and symbol of our team like Sami has been tied down to us for a longer term.
Wolfgang Holzhauser, Bayer Leverkusen general manager

As part of his new contract, in 2012 he will join the coaching team on a two-year contract.

"We are glad that such a key player and symbol of our team like Sami has been tied down to us for a longer term," Bayer's general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser told the club's official website.

Hyypia has made 33 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen and should make that 34 in today's local derby with Borussia Monchengladbach.