Winger extends Feyenoord stay

Ruben Schaken has signed a new contract with Feyenoord, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2013/14 season.

The 29-year-old winger had been linked with a move abroad but announced in December that he had agreed a deal in principle with the Eredivisie side, before making the extension official.

“The contract extension is now official and I am very happy,” Schaken told the club’s official website. “It was a pretty difficult decision, because this is one of the last contracts of my career. I am almost 30 years old now.”

“Financially it would have been interesting to move abroad, but it’s not worth it to give up everything I have here. I have made this decision for my family and because Feyenoord are a fantastic club.”

Feyenoord technical director Martin van Geel was delighted the Dutchman pledged his future to the club.

“Two-and-a-half years ago, Ruben had never played in the Eredivisie,” the former Feyenoord midfielder said. “Nobody would have thought that he would be signing his second contract with Feyenoord.”

“Ruben has shown great character this year and has made himself heard by breaking into the first team. We are very pleased that he has signed a new deal with the club.”

The Amsterdam-born winger moved to Feyenoord from VVV Venlo in 2010 and made 11 Eredivisie appearances for the club in his first season.

He has featured 16 times in the league so far this term, scoring two goals.