Raul joins Schalke
07/28/2010 08:25:51 AM
Bundesliga club Schalke 04 has announced the signing of legendary Spanish striker Raul on a two-year deal.
The Real Madrid star, who will be officially unveiled on Wednesday afternoon, was linked with a move to English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur but opted for Schalke in the hope of regular first-team football.
Schalke 04 manager Felix Magath was understandably delighted to have captured the forward's signature.
"He will be a sensation in the Bundesliga. He will be an important player for us and will give a lot to the team," Magath told German newspaper Bild.
The newspaper suggested that Raul could be involved in first-team duties as early as Saturday in a friendly against Hamburg.
Raul joins Bayer Leverkusen's Michael Ballack as recent big name signings to join the Bundesliga.
Raul spent 18 years playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid, scoring 323 goals in 741 appearances.
He has won more than 100 caps for Spain and is the leading scorer of all time in the European Champions League with 66 goals.