Harnik handed new Stuttgart deal

Martin Harnik has signed a new three-year contract at Stuttgart. The Austria forward's new deal will keep him at the Bundesliga club until June 2016. "It was not a difficult decision for me," he told the club's website. "Even if I had one or two other offers on the table, it was clear to me from the beginning that if everything was right with Stuttgart, then I would sign immediately. I am totally committed to Stuttgart and the Swabia area. "I have made the breakthrough here and now I want to take the next step and remain here for years to come. I want to improve and become more effective and play a bigger role in the team." Harnik joined Stuttgart from Werder Bremen in 2010 and has scored seven goals this season, taking his tally to 15 goals in 49 games for the club. And Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia was delighted to be able to plan with him for the long term. "It is great that he would like to keep developing with us and has signed an early contract extension," he said. "Martin still has room for improvement and I hope he keeps working on his game and takes a leading role within our team. "Martin's decision could be an example to one or two other players. We want to carry our vision at Stuttgart forwards step by step and Martin's new contract is part of that."