National team forward Hwang Hee-chan is leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have been relegated to the English Championship, to join Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga.
On September 2, Schalke announced on their official website that they have signed Hwang on a one-season loan from Wolverhampton. The contract runs until June 30, 2027.
According to local media reports, the loan agreement includes an option for Schalke to make the transfer permanent for a fee of €3 million (approximately $4.78 million) at the end of the season.
Although Hwang has a contract with Wolverhampton until June 2028, he struggled last season, scoring only three goals in 31 official matches, which diminished his standing within the team. Wolverhampton finished at the bottom of the Premier League, leading to their relegation to the Championship. Faced with a reduced role and the team's demotion, Hwang actively sought a transfer.
This summer, several clubs, including Leeds United in the Premier League, were mentioned as potential destinations for Hwang. Ultimately, he chose to join the traditional German club Schalke. This marks Hwang's return to Germany after five years, having left RB Leipzig in 2021.
Schalke is a prestigious team with seven Bundesliga runner-up finishes. They competed in the second division starting in 2023 but won the league last season, earning promotion back to the top tier.
The club expects Hwang's addition to enhance their attacking options. Schalke director Uli Müller stated, "Hwang's signing has diversified our attacking options. His ability to play multiple positions and his extensive experience in various leagues and international competitions are significant advantages."
Hwang expressed his excitement about joining Schalke, saying, "I was deeply impressed watching Schalke last season. I studied their playing style and believe I will fit well with the team." He added, "I played at Schalke's home stadium in 2021 while with Leipzig, but unfortunately, fans were not allowed at that time. Now, as a Schalke player, I look forward to experiencing the atmosphere in front of a full crowd."
Hwang's debut for Schalke could come as early as September 6, when the team hosts Bayern Munich at 1:30 a.m. in their second Bundesliga match of the 2026-2027 season. If he plays, a 'Korean Derby' against Bayern's key defender Kim Min-jae is anticipated.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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