Bayern's Butt signs extension, Kraft to quit

Bayern Munich's veteran goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt on Tuesday signed a contract extension until 2012, while reserve keeper Thomas Kraft is set to leave at the end of the season.

Bayern have admitted they are trying to sign Schalke 04's Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who has told the Royal Blues he will not extend his contract which expires in 2012, but Munich are eager to keep Butt for one more season.

"I would work just as hard for my place at Bayern, whether or not Manuel Neuer is here," said Butt, who won the last of his four caps for Germany at the 2010 World Cup.

"I regard him as the best goalkeeper in Germany, but at the moment he is not here yet."

"There is no point playing through some scenarios, we'll have to see how things turn out."

"I am convinced that I can help the team for another year."

"I feel I am in top shape, otherwise I would not have renewed my contract."

Butt, who turns 37 at the end of the month, was due to finish his contract in June, but has been offered an extension at the request of Bayern's new coach Jupp Heynckes, who arrives from Leverkusen at season's end.

"Jorg Butt is a first-class goalkeeper and I am very happy that he will stay with us for another year," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Butt had twice been used as back up in Munich, only to take over as first-choice goalkeeper.

He was demoted to the bench in January by former coach Louis van Gaal when Kraft was given his chance, but Butt was re-instated last month after Van Gaal was sacked at the start of March.

Kraft, 22, has been on Bayern's bench ever since and is reported to be in talks with second division Hertha Berlin, who won promotion back to the Bundesliga last week.

"Thomas Kraft's goal is to be first-choice goalkeeper and we can't guarantee that," said Bayern's director of sport Christian Nerlinger.

"We wish him all the best for his future."

Schalke and Bayern are reported to be negotiating Neuer's transfer, with the Ruhr valley club said to be wanting 20 million euros for the star goalkeeper while Bayern are said to want to pay no more than 14 million euros.