Germany defender Robin Gosens signed with Schalke on Friday, joining from Fiorentina on a season-long loan which will become permanent if the freshly promoted club stay up this season.
A former Inter Milan, Atalanta and Union Berlin defender, Gosens, 32, spoke of his "special connection" to Schalke, the club he supported as a boy.
"They outlined their plan and explained exactly what my role would be and what they expect from me," Gosens said in a statement.
"I'm really up for it."
Seven-time German champions Schalke returned to the Bundesliga after four seasons in the second flight.
Gosens has scored twice in 24 Germany games, with his last cap coming in 2025.
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