Confirmed: Schalke loan out Matondo to Belgium with purchase option
Recently returned from a six-month loan stint at Stoke City, FC Schalke 04 announced on Monday evening that young Welsh international Rabbi Matondo would be loaned out again; this time to the Belgian pro league.
After Stoke City declined to exercise their purchase clause for Rabbi Matondo, the 20-year-old Welsh winger returned to his parent club of Schalke 04. The once highly touted prospect nevertheless did not get a chance to suit back up for die Knappen as a knee injury kept him sidelined through the start of the season.
On Monday, the Königsblauen announced that they had located another loan destination for the youngster. Matondo will head over to Cercle Brugge in the Jupiler Pro League. The season-long-loan reportedly includes another purchase option, though there is no word yet on the agreed upon amount.
"When the request came, we quickly agreed with Rabbi and his advisors that a move was in the best interest of all parties," S04 sporting director Rouven Schröder noted in a released statement, "We wish him all the best in the coming year, both personally and professionally."
Matondo, a Knappenschmiede product, amassed 30 senior professional appearances for Schalke before he turned 20. He's scored twice for his German parent club and tallied once for Stoke in 12 appearances this past spring.
Rabbi #Matondo läuft in der Saison 2021/2022 auf Leihbasis für @cercleofficial auf. Der #S04 und der belgische Erstligist haben zudem eine Kaufoption vereinbart.
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04) August 9, 2021
Viel Erfolg in Brügge, @rabbi_matondo ✊
Die Meldung zum Wechsel gibt es auf https://t.co/tgdrSrMRHZ ⤵️