Frings turns down Juve to extend Werder love affair

BERLIN, May 9 (Reuters) Germany midfielder Torsten Frings has turned down a move to Juventus and opted instead to extend his contract at Werder Bremen, the Bundesliga club announced today.

''I had a great offer from Juventus but for me Werder are an affair of the heart,'' Frings told the Werder Web site (www.werder.de).

He has agreed to extend his contract until 2011, Werder said.

''I've thought about it, and struggled with the decision, long enough,'' the 30-year-old added in an interview with Kicker online (www.kicker.de).

Frings, an influential member of the Germany team that finished third at the World Cup last year, had been in talks with Juventus, with the blessing of his current club.

His surprise decision to stay on will be a boost to title-chasing Werder as they prepare for the final two league games of the season.

Werder are in third place, two points behind leaders Schalke 04 and one shy of VfB Stuttgart.

REUTERS TB PM2021