Schalke Football Club News

• Nickname:Die Konigsblauen
• Founded:1904
• Manager:Huub Stevens

• Ground:Arena Aufschalke
• Capacity:61,266

Metzelder hopeful of Raul signing

06 Jul 2010 - 15:34:17

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Schalke defender Christoph Metzelder is hopeful former Real Madrid team-mate Raul will join him in Gelsenkirchen ahead of the new Bundesliga season.

Raul, who has spent his entire career with the Santiago Bernabeu giants, looks set to leave after falling behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain in the pecking order and, with Karim Benzema at the club, the 33-year-old's future prospects appear to be limited.

Now Metzelder wants the experienced forward to move to Germany and aid their title-challenge next term.

Speaking to Bild newspaper, Metzelder said: "I understand him, I used to sit next to him on the Madrid team bus.

"Raul has the ambition to continue playing in the Champions League and is thinking seriously about Schalke.

"He is in top shape. He was injured only once in my three years at Madrid.

"He has a great personality and his presence would be a huge boost for this young team."