30.01.2016 19:06 h

Hertha win fight to keep Brooks

High-flying Hertha Berlin have won their battle to keep USA international defender John Anthony Brooks, who has agreed a new deal to stay with the capital club until 2019.

The 23-year-old had been courted by Hertha's Bundesliga rivals Schalke 04, but Berlin have kept hold of their centre-back, who has risen up from the club's youth academy.

With the transfer window in Germany's top flight set to close on Monday at 1800 local time (1700 GMT), Hertha were relieved Brooks has agreed an extension.

"He's staying in Berlin, we've agreed (terms)," Hertha's general manager Michael Preetz tweeted after the club's 3-3 draw at Werder Bremen on Saturday kept them third in the league.

Preetz said the contract details will be announced in the next few days with Hertha on course to play in the Champions League next season for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.