Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze has been rewarded for his excellent performances this season by earning a two-year contract extension.

The 18-year-old, who has been voted Germany's best player in his age category in each of the last two years, has made the breakthrough into Dortmund's first team this season, holding down a regular starting berth in Jurgen Klopp's team.

He has also impressed in Europe, scoring two goals against Karpaty Lviv in the UEFA Europa League after making his debut in the competition in the play-off match against Qarabag at the Westfalen Stadion.

"We are delighted that we can plan with Mario for the future," Dortmund's director of sport Michael Zorc told the club's website.

Gotze has committed himself to the Westphalian club until 2014.