01.12.2013 11:02 h

Football: Schalke hand teenage star Meyer five-year deal

Während der Bundesliga-Partie zwischen Eintracht Frankfurt und dem FC Schalke 04 am 13. Spieltag der Saison 2013/2014 geht Sebastian Jung (l.) in den Infight mit dem Mittelfeldjuwel Max Meyer (23.11.2013).
Während der Bundesliga-Partie zwischen Eintracht Frankfurt und dem FC Schalke 04 am 13. Spieltag der Saison 2013/2014 geht Sebastian Jung (l.) in den Infight mit dem Mittelfeldjuwel Max Meyer (23.11.2013).

Bundesliga side Schalke 04 have given 18-year-old rising star Max Meyer a five-year extension to keep the attacking midfielder at the Royal Blues until 2018.

The Germany Under-19 talent, who reached the European Under-17 championships final with his country in 2012, has scored three goals in 10 Bundesliga games this season and is tipped as a future star.

He came on for the final 15 minutes of Schalke's 3-0 win at home to VfB Stuttgart on Saturday to go fifth in the league.

"It is excellent news for the club," said Schalke general manager Horst Heldt.

"Many professionals in the game have predicted a great career in football for him.

"His development in the past few months has been almost breathtaking."

Meyer joined the Schalke youth team from Duisburg in 2009 and in 2011-12 won the German Under-19 championships with the Royal Blues after beating Bayern Munich in the final.

The teenager is in the Schalke squad for the Champions League with the hosts needing to beat Swiss champions FC Basel in a fortnight to reach the last 16.