Nico Schlotterbeck said his ultimate goal is to help Borussia Dortmund become Bundesliga champions, after ending speculation over his future by signing a new five-year contract.

Schlotterbeck's previous deal was due to expire at the end of this season, and he was linked with Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United, among other sides.

But on Friday, Dortmund confirmed he had committed his future to the club until 2031, though reports suggested he will have a release clause that only applies to certain clubs.

Dortmund have had a strong season and, if not for the extraordinary form of Bayern Munich, might have found themselves in contention to become German champions.

But speaking on the eve of a home clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, the centre-back said the club presented him with a strong plan for future domestic success. 

"Basically, I know what I have at this club and what I will continue to have here in the future," he told Dortmund's website. 

"That's why I've now decided to stay with BVB. I'm absolutely delighted to be extending my contract here.

"Of course, my aim is to win a title. And of course, I want to win titles with BVB. They put a plan to me, and I am in complete agreement with it.

"I've seen what can be achieved here, the sheer power that the club, the stadium and the city can unleash. That's why this is the big goal I want to achieve with BVB. 

"That's why I'm here. That's why I signed my first contract almost four years ago, and that’s why I've signed again now."

While Dortmund are overwhelmingly likely to finish second, Leverkusen are battling to ensure Champions League qualification for next season, sitting sixth in the table ahead of their trip to Signal Iduna Park.

Their 6-3 win over Wolfsburg last week eased the pressure on head coach Kasper Hjulmand somewhat, but the Dane knows a tough test awaits them this weekend. 

"Dortmund no longer have any double gameweeks, either domestically or in Europe. They come out firing every week and are currently in very good form," Hjulmand said.

"They have an incredible sharpness, which we also need. They often don't have many more chances than their opponents, but they still win games. 

"It's important to focus on ourselves. We always aim to play our own game. Last time against BVB [in the DFB-Pokal], we created spaces well and had very strong build-up play. We have to defend well again to beat them."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Borussia Dortmund – Julian Brandt

Brandt has been involved in 10 goals in the Bundesliga this season (seven goals, three assists), marking his 10th Bundesliga campaign with at least 10 goal involvements. 

Since Opta data collection began in 2004-05, only Thomas Muller (15), Marco Reus (14), and Robert Lewandowski (11) have achieved this in more Bundesliga seasons.

However, he has played more Bundesliga home matches for BVB against Leverkusen without registering a single goal involvement than against any other club (six).

Bayer Leverkusen – Alejandro Grimaldo 

Last time out against Wolfsburg, Grimaldo scored his third brace of this Bundesliga season, having only managed one in his first two Bundesliga campaigns. 

Only Harry Kane (nine) and Christoph Baumgartner (four) have more Bundesliga matches with two or more goals in 2025-26. 

In addition, over the last four matchdays, only Stuttgart's Deniz Undav (six) has been directly involved in more goals than the Spaniard (five – three goals, two assists).

MATCH PREDICTION – BORUSSIA DORTMUND WIN

Dortmund have failed to win any of their last three home matches against Leverkusen in all competitions, losing the last two – including a 0-1 defeat in the DFB-Pokal this season. 

However, BVB have never suffered three consecutive home defeats or four winless home matches in a row against Leverkusen in their professional history.

With 64 points after 28 games, Dortmund are enjoying their third-best Bundesliga season – only in 2015-16 (67) and 2010-11 (65, went on to win the title) have they had more points at this stage of a campaign. 

BVB have won 10 of their last 12 Bundesliga matches (D1 L1; including the last four in a row), the most victories of any side in the league during that span.

Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last six Bundesliga matches, but four of those have been draws and they have conceded 10 goals in their last four outings – no other team has shipped more in that timeframe (four other teams have conceded 10).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Borussia Dortmund – 46.6%

Bayer Leverkusen – 29.4%

Draw – 24%