Germany defender Per Mertesacker has pledged his future with Werder Bremen after signing a contract extension until 2012. "Werder want to achieve big things with me and I want to achieve them with Werder, so the situation is ideal," said the giant center-half. Mertesacker joined Bremen from Hannover 96 in 2006, as he became one of the pillars of the Bundesliga side's defense. The 23-year-old is also a key member of Joachim Loew's selection with the National Mannschaft, who will face Turkey in the EURO 2008 semis on Wednesday.
