Striker Stefan Kiessling on Tuesday extended his contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2018, having formed a strong partnership with Javier Hernandez.

The 32-year-old, who had hinted at a Leverkusen exit last December, has signed a year's extension and been offered an unspecified future role after his career.

Kiessling has scored 126 league goals in 312 appearances over the last ten years for Bayer.

"Stefan Kiessling is an absolute role model for us and our fans, which is why we have agreed that he will take over a function in the team after his professional career," said Bayer's managing director Michael Schade.

Kiessling, who last played for Germany in 2010, has only scored four league goals this season, but has played alongside Hernandez when Leverkusen have used a 4-4-2 formation, or come off the bench to replace the Mexican.