Schalke's goalkeeper switch goes on stage - Müller departs as Hoffmann arrives
Royal Crag (168 million euros in debt) releases goalie Ron-Thorben Hoffmann (25) from Braunschweig and signs him through 2027.
It's official now: Goalie savior Marius Müller (30) is heading to Wolfsburg for around 1.5 million euros in transfer fees. The stability in the goalie position will undoubtedly change...
The next move in the Schalke goalkeeper saga: Müller out, Hoffmann in!
Ever since former sports director Peter Knaabel (57) shelled out just around 300,000 euros for Müller last summer, current sports director Marc Wilmots (55) and team builder Ben Manga (50) are making a profit.
Will Hoffmann (33 appearances, 52 goals conceded, 7 clean sheets) truly be a significant boost to the team? Just like Müller (21 appearances, 30 goals conceded, 6 clean sheets) had stabilized Schalke, he at least helped Eintracht avoid relegation.
Wilmots says, "We're acquiring a highly reactive and athletic goalkeeper with Ron-Thorben. He has a remarkable ability to swiftly react after saving balls and shows bravery in high ball situations." Moreover, "He delivered an incredible performance in the previous season, despite the tough conditions."
But royal pressure looms over the goalkeepers at Schalke. Several have already felt the heat while performing in front of 60,000 fans in the arena.
Furthermore, there's internal competition as well. Justin Heekeren (23), who comes back from Belgian second division club Patro Eisden, barely manages to snatch a position on the bench.
Hoffmann faces not only the immense shadow of Müller but also may have to deal with the possible messy divorce from Ralf Fährmann (36/contract until 2025).
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