BERLIN, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger was named German footballer of the year by sporting magazine Kicker on Monday.

Schweinsteinger was one of the stars to help German team to reach the semifinals at the South Africa World Cup.

The 26-year-old, who has just extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2016, has played 223 German top flight games, winning five league championships and five German Cup titles since joining the club in 1998.