Veteran Huntelaar seals Schalke move from Ajax in a bid to save them from relegation
Die Knappen have confirmed the signing of experienced Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on a free transfer, as the Dutchman seems eager to help out the club which is dear to him.
37-year-old Klaas Jan Huntelaar is back in Bundesliga after completing a bona fide transfer from AFC Ajax. Schalke have reportedly secured his services on a free transfer after signing a short-term contract until the end of the current Bundesliga season, but both clubs have agreed to keep the details of the deal undisclosed.
The Veltins Arena is no stranger to Huntelaar’s goal scoring exploits, having scored 82 goals in 175 goals the Bundesliga for Schalke.
Speaking on his return, he told the club’s official website: “We need to win a lot of games and in order to do that we have to score goals to climb up the table. I want to contribute my part to helping us avoid relegation. Schalke belong in the Bundesliga. Now it's up to us to make sure we stay there."
Der HUNTER geht wieder auf Torejagd 🏹⚽️🎥#S04 | #Hunter21 | #Huntelaar pic.twitter.com/MkUSEX8v61
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04) January 19, 2021
He scored a whopping 126 goals in 240 games between 2010 and 2017 for the Royal Blues before leaving for the Dutch capital mid-2017, where he earned his name as a world-class striker during his early days with Ajax.
Due to financial struggles, Schalke have looked to recruit former players on miniscule budgets in order to help them regain their status. Brazilian full-back Rafinha, who currently plays for Greek side Olympiakos Piraeus is also linked to a move back to Gelsenkirchen
After Sead Kolasinac’s arrival from Arsenal, Huntelaar is S04’s second signing of the season. The ‘Hunter’ will now look to help his beloved German club escape relegation and redeem their name as one of Bundesliga’s heavyweights. He won the DFB Pokal and DFL Supercup during his stay.
Die 2⃣1⃣ für den Hunter, die 2⃣1⃣ für euch! #S04 | #Huntelaar | #EinmalSchalkerImmerSchalker
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04) January 19, 2021
Schalke 04 vs 1. FC Koln tonight might witness the comeback of a club legend who will wear the number 21 shirt.