Ilkay Gundogan signs contract extension through 2017 with Borussia Dortmund

Ilkay Gundogan, one of the names linked with a summer move amid interest from a host of clubs, is staying put at Borussia Dortmund. At least for the next two seasons.

The club announced Wednesday it has brokered an agreement with the 24-year-old midfielder, extending his contract through the 2017 campaign.

Aside from the hilariously awkward three-man handshake that it spawned, the deal is fantastic news for new Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel, who will have the club's best midfielder at his disposal in his debut season.

The German international, who struggled through the early stages of last season with injury, recovered to make 23 Bundesliga appearances (22 starts), and reminded everyone why he remains one of the more sought-after central midfielders in the world thanks to his impressive range of passing and ability to drive forward from deep-lying positions.

Numbers like that can be misleading, though in this case it works to illustrate how integral the midfielder is to Dortmund, always acting as the hub of the attack and spending more time on the ball dictating play than any of his teammates - aside, perhaps, from Marco Reus.