Schalke signs midfielder Clemens

Berlin, June 18 (IANS)

Christian Clemens (front) of Germany tries to score against Ricardo van Rhijn of Netherlands during the UEFA European Under 21 Championship match between Netherlands and Germany at Ha Moshava Stadium on June 6, 2013 in Petah Tiqwa, Israel. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Germany Under-21 international Christian Clemens has joined Schalke till 2017.

The 21-year-old former Cologne midfielder put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal following medical check-up, reports Xinhua.

“Christian Clemens is an Under-21 player with enormous potential. We are pleased that we were able to bind a German talent for the long term. He is fast, has a strong shot and is offensively versatile,” Schalke manager Horst Heldt said Monday.

Clemens worked his way through youth teams to accomplish his first-team breakthrough in 2010. During his three years with the first-team he scored 13 goals in 89 appearances.

“I had 12 great years in Cologne but I am happy to wear the Royal Blue now. Schalke is one of the top-flight clubs in Germany and is a UEFA Champions League aspirant. It’s not often that you get such a chance in life,” Clemens said.

Schalke completed the Bundesliga season in fourth to ensure a Champions League playoff position.