Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder will join Schalke at the
end of the season, the Bundesliga club have confirmed.
The Germany international, whose time in Spain has been
plagued by injury, will return to his homeland on a three-year
deal.
The 29-year-old, who joined Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in
2007, was a first choice for Germany at Euro 2008 but is not
expected to be part of their squad for this summer's World Cup in
South Africa because of his lack of playing time at the Bernabeu.
A statement on Schalke's official website read: "A World Cup
and a European Championship runner-up will soon play for the Royal
Blues: Christoph Metzelder is joining Schalke from Real Madrid for
the coming season and receives a three-year contract until 30 June
2013."
Metzelder, who has 47 caps for Germany, was a member of the
team which reached the final of the 2002 World Cup, where they lost
to Brazil, and of Euro 2008, where they lost to Spain.
The defender, who played youth-team football for Schalke,
will return to the Bundesliga on a free transfer.
He won the Bundesliga title in 2002 with Dortmund.
He emerged as one of the best central defenders in Germany at
the Westfalenstadion, his form for club and country earning him a
move to Madrid, where he won the Primera Division title in 2008.
Schalke coach Felix Magath revealed he had tried to sign
Metzelder before when he has in charge of Wolfsburg.
"At that time I got to know him and came to value him and I
am ecstatic that he has chosen us," Magath said today on the Kicker
website.
"He is not only a former Schalke youth player, but also a
player with a real sense of responsibility, a leader."
Schalke, who are guaranteed Champions League football next
term, are still in contention to win the title this season.
They are level on points with leaders Bayern Munich, who have
a far superior goal difference, with two games to go.
