Schalke have completed the signing of Dynamo Kiev attacking midfielder Raffael on a six-month loan, with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old Brazilian joined the Ukrainian giants ahead of the 2012-13 campaign, but was keen to move on after struggling to secure regular first team action.
Schalke were looking to add some more creativity to their squad during the January transfer window, and have now found their man in the former Hertha Berlin captain.
Horst Heldt, general manager, told the club’s official website: “We decided to make one more move in the transfer market due to ongoing injury problems, for example Ibrahim Afellay’s misfortune.
“We are very happy that the signing of Raffael is now a done deal.
“We have a lot more options in attack now. Raffael will not need much time to adapt to the Bundesliga as he has already played in Germany for four years.”
Raffael, who only made nine appearances for Dynamo, will not be eligible to play in the Champions League for the German club having already participated in European competition with his parent club.
The Gelsenkirchen side currently sit seventh in the Bundesliga table, with 25 points from 17 games.
Source: Goal.com
