Ralf Fährmann has been confirmed as Schalke’s first-choice goalkeeper for the 2020/21 season.

The 31-year-old slipped down the pecking order in the 2018/19 campaign following the emergence of Alexander Nübel, and spent the majority of last term on loan at Norwich City in England, before a brief spell in Norway at Brann Bergen.

However, he returned to the Veltins Arena over the summer and following Nübel’s transfer to Bayern Munich, the Schalke academy graduate convinced head coach David Wagner that the number one jersey should be his.

“Our training sessions and friendlies during pre-season have showed that 'Ralle' is back to his best,” Wagner said.

“After what was a difficult year for him in which he didn’t play much, he’s continually improved since his return to Gelsenkirchen five months ago. In recent weeks in particular, 'Ralle' has demonstrated that we can count on him 100 per cent.”

Fährmann will face competition for the place between the posts from Markus Schubert and Michael Langer, but looks set to add to his 196 Bundesliga appearances to date when Schalke travel to defending champions Bayern Munich on Matchday 1 of the new season on Friday 18 September.

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