BERLIN, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Bremen's veteran Clemens Fritz postponed his retirement plan in the light of the relegation battle, the Bundesliga club confirmed in an official statement on Friday.
The 35-year-old midfielder has announced the end of his career at the end of the current season back in January. However, Fritz changed his mind due to the current situation of struggling Bremen as he put pen to paper on a one-year deal, which is also valid for the second division.
"I cannot leave the club after a season like this," Fritz told the club's official homepage. "I will either help to show everyone that we are a team that can achieve significantly better results or I will get through the worst case, the relegation, and lead Bremen back into the top flight. Regardless of what will happen in the last games, I wont retire like this."
The former Germany international joined Werder Bremen from Bayer Leverkusen in 2006. He made ever since 263 Bundesliga appearances to provide five goals.
The "Green-Whites" occupy currently the 16th place, which is a relegation play-off spot, with two points to safety. They encounter struggling Stuttgart on Monday to close the 32nd round in Bundesliga.