BERLIN, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Schalke 04 has signed former Germany international Robin Gosens on loan from Fiorentina, bringing the wing-back back to the Bundesliga, the newly promoted club announced on Friday.
The agreement includes terms allowing Schalke to make the move permanent. The 32-year-old will wear the No. 8 shirt.
The left-footer returns to Germany after making more than 400 league and UEFA Champions League appearances in the Netherlands, Italy and Germany, registering over 100 goals and assists combined.
Gosens took an unconventional route into professional football after being overlooked by German youth academies. He developed with Vitesse Arnhem, Dordrecht and Heracles Almelo before joining Atalanta in 2017.
In Bergamo, he became one of Europe's most dangerous wing-backs, combining relentless running with aggressive pressing. He featured in three consecutive UEFA Champions League campaigns and reached the quarterfinals in 2020.
A move to Inter Milan followed, where Gosens won the Italian Cup twice and lifted the Italian Super Cup. He also appeared in the 2023 Champions League final, where Inter lost 1-0 to Manchester City.
Gosens earned 24 Germany caps and scored twice. His standout international display came in the 4-2 victory over Portugal at the UEFA Euro 2020, when he scored once and provided two assists.
He made his Bundesliga debut with Union Berlin in 2023 before spending two years at Fiorentina, scoring three Serie A goals during the 2025-26 season.
Schalke director of professional football Youri Mulder described Gosens as a leader whose mentality, work rate and goal threat suited the club.
"We are very happy that Robin Gosens has chosen us," Mulder said. "We are getting a player with a lot of quality and a real leader for our team."
Gosens said Schalke's sporting plan and the role outlined for him had been decisive. "Schalke 04 made a great effort to sign me," he said. "I want to lead through my performances and take responsibility." ■
