SV Werder Bremen and Santiago Garcia will remain together for the next three years as the club Wednesday afternoon exercised their contractual option and agreed with the 25-year-old on a contract until 30 June 2017. "Santiago Garcia is a good guy who really impressed people in his first year with strong performances. We are happy that we were able to keep him beyond this season for an additional three years along the Weser. Werder and Santiago - they just go well together," said Werder manager Thomas Eichin.

Garcia himself was also happy about not having to leave Bremen after one season. "I am overjoyed about my new contract and am looking forward to the next three years with Werder. I have felt very comfortable in Bremen from very beginning and I am convinced that I will have a nice and successful time here," said Santiago.

Head coach Robin Dutt, who played Garcia 20 times this season as left back, was also pleased about continuing his work with the Argentinean. "Santi is a dynamic defender with special qualities. Over the course of his first year, he found his personal rhythm better and better. And his three goals speak for themselves. He is an important personality within the team structure. It's nice that he is staying," said Dutt.

Garcia arrived initially on loan for the 2013-14 season from CSD Rangers Talca. His first appearance for the Green-Whites came against in the North Derby against Hamburg. Garcia quickly developed into a starter for Bremen. In March of this year, he missed four weeks to a partial ligament tear in his right knee. He returned to the line-up on the 28th match day in the 2-1 victory in Hannover.