Germany star Marco Reus's decision to stay for four more years at relegation-threatened Borussia Dortmund is welcome news in their battle to avoid a first relegation since 1972.
Dortmund fans breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing Tuesday's news that Reus has signed an extension until 2019, ending weeks of transfer speculation -- both at home and abroad.
Having watched Mario Goetze and Robert Lewandowski quit for arch-rivals Bayern Munich in the last two years, Borussia's bosses have fought to keep Reus.
The 25-year-old left winger had been linked to not only Bayern, but also Manchester United and Real Madrid after Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge drew attention to Reus' old contract last October.
In highlighting a 25 million euro ($28.25m) release clause in the deal, which would have let Reus leave Dortmund in June, Rummenigge alerted Europe's top sides that the Germany star was potentially available.
As Borussia slid further down the league table, then hit rock bottom earlier this month, they seemed destined to lose their fleet-footed midfielder.
But Dortmund-born Reus has snubbed some of Europe's top sides to help his home-town club.
He describes it as a 'decision for life' and will have just turned 30 when his contract expires.
With the Champions League last 16, first-leg, clash at Italian league leaders Juventus fast approaching, last Saturday's 3-0 win at Freiburg plus Reus' signing are welcome boosts for embattled Borussia.
News of his contract extension was as welcome on Dortmund's streets his opening goal at Freiburg.
"I have the feeing that things aren't over, even if the current situation isn't easy," Reus told BVB.de.
"We fall and win together, it's a decision for life, I've considered it for a long time, but I am pleased.
"I want to help Dortmund get out of the current situation and hopefully go on the attack.
"I grew up here, I was born here and I feel well here, anyone knows me will tell you it's important for me to feel good.
"Sometimes that's worth more than anything else and I'm looking forward to the next few weeks."
Having seen Germany's World Cup-winner Goetze activate a similar release clause in 2013 to that which was in Reus' old deal, Dortmund have learnt their lesson.
The 2011 and 2012 German champions have said no future contracts will be allowed to include a release clauses.
- Yet to win a title -
The Reus deal is soothing news for nervous fans waiting to hear if Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will also sign an extension.
There was also relief in the corridors of the German Football Association (DFB) in Frankfurt with the knowledge one of the world champion's top players will not be moving abroad.
"That is really good news for the Bundesliga," said DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach.
"I think it's great if the majority of the national team play in our domestic league."
But the main relief for Dortmund's bosses is knowing Reus will not be wearing the red shirt of Bayern next season.
"We never let ourselves be guided by transfer rumours and always saw there was a good chance that this exceptional player opts for a future with Dortmund," said CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
"Marco can shape an era at Dortmund, as Uwe Seeler did in Hamburg or Steven Gerrard did for Liverpool.
"The fact Marco had decided to stay in Dortmund during a sporting crisis shows a high degree of identification which makes us very proud."
Reus wants silverware.
He has won 23 caps for Germany, but missed the 2014 World Cup with the eventual champions after tearing ankle ligaments in the final warm-up international.
Surprisingly, he has yet to win a major title, having played for Borussia Moenchengladbach until May 2012.
He just missed Dortmund's double-winning season in 2012 and lost the 2013 Champions League final with Borussia when Bayern lifted the title.
"Marco Reus could have joined any top club in the world, but this decision shows that his heart beats for his hometown and his home club," said director of sport Michael Zorc.
"He is a very important component for Borussia Dortmund's sporting future."
Source: AFP