Schalke bring in Dynamo forward Raffael
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
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FC Dynamo Kyiv's Brazilian forward Raffael has joined FC Schalke 04 on loan for the remainder of the season, saying he is "really happy to be returning to the Bundesliga".
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FC Schalke 04 have signed Brazilian forward Raffael from FC Dynamo Kyiv for the remainder of the season with a view to a permanent move.
The 27-year-old – who made two appearances for Dynamo in this season's UEFA Champions League group stage – knows the Bundesliga well, having scored 33 goals in 140 German league games for Hertha BSC Berlin between 2008 and 2012. "I am honoured to be able to wear the Schalke 04 shirt and really happy to be returning to the Bundesliga," the one-time FC Zürich man said. "The fans can be sure I will give my best to make Schalke 04 successful."
"Given our consistent bad luck with injuries – for instance Ibrahim Afellay being sidelined now for at least two months – we have decided to once more become active in the transfer market," explained Schalke general manager Horst Heldt. "We are delighted to complete the Raffael deal. He gives us more options in attack. Also, he will have no problem adjusting since he has already played in Germany for four years."
The Gelsenkirchen outfit meet Galatasaray AŞ in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.