Japan international midfielder Makoto Hasebe has explained his decision to extend his contract with German club VfL Wolfsburg.

The 26-year old was a reported target for English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers but decided to sign a new deal that will keep him at the Volkswagen Arena until 2012 and he revealed his reasons for doing so.

"I feel very much at home at VFL Wolfsburg and with the fans. I like living here too," he told the club's official website.

"We have a wonderful team and I would very much like to play my part in ensuring that we quickly return to the European stage."

Hasebe was a key figure in Wolfsburg's Bundesliga triumph last season but despite making as many appearances this term, the Wolvers have fallen to eighth on the table.

The former Urawa Reds man is expected to be a prominent player in Takeshi Okada's Japan squad at the South Africa World Cup this year.