Robin Gosens: Who is Schalke's new vastly experienced full-back?
Robin Gosens has returned to the Bundesliga to help Schalke stay in the top flight following last season's promotion. With bags of experience and offensive threat, he could be prove to be a shrewd acquisition - here is everything you need to know about the Germany international...
Stats correct as of 17 July 2026
Age: 32 (born 5 July 1994)
Club: Schalke
Position: Left-back
Country: Germany (24 caps and two goals)
Despite being born in Germany, the vast majority of Gosens' professional career has been spent outside of the Bundesliga. After featuring for local German clubs as a younngster, he joined Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem's youth set-up in 2012, albeit only after failing a trialling at Borussia Dortmund. His maiden outing actually came on loan at FC Dordrecht in the Netherlands' second tier, before three seasons in the Eredivisie - one with Dordrecht and two with Heracles Almelo. Before even playing for Vitesse's first team, he was sold to Atalanta in Italy, which proved to be a sliding doors moment.
Over the next four-and-a-half seasons, he made 157 appearances in all competitions as the Bergamo-based outfit established themselves as one of Italy's most exciting sides. Gosens was a regular goalscorer, too, netting 25 times in 121 Serie A appearances, including 11 in 32 in 2020/21. The previous term, Atalanta narrowly missed out on a place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, with Gosens playing a key role in their run.
His displays with La Dea not only earned him a move to Italian giants Inter Milan in 2021, but also a maiden Germany call-up. His debut, which came after not picking up a single youth cap, was against Spain in September 2020, while he was part of Germany's squad at UEFA Euro 2020.
At Inter, he was unable to establish himself as a key player, but finally appeared in the Bundesliga for the first time with Union Berlin in 2023/24, scoring six times in 30 appearances. Prior to his loan switch to Schalke, he spent two seasons with Fiorentina, continuing to score goals at an impressive rate.
Plays a bit like: Nathaniel Brown
Germany international Brown's offensive qualities have earned him a move to Bayern Munich, as well as his ability to get up and down the left flank. While Gosens may never have had the former Eintracht Frankfurt man's electric pace, his ability to find the back of the net and be decisive in the final third means he is a useful weapon for any team to have. Schalke will be hoping he can have a similar impact as the Bavarians' new star in 2026/27.
Did you know?
This move is a special one for Gosens, as he will play for the team he supported as a boy. During a Germany press conference in 2023, he said, "They’ve always been the club of my city [Emmerich am Rhein]. Everyone’s always supported Schalke. If I were to end up playing there, it would close a circle for me."
What they're saying
"I want to lead by example with my performances and take on responsibility. Everyone knows I have a special connection to Schalke." - Gosens after signing for Schalke on loan in July 2026
"Gosens is a captain without a sash for Fiorentina, a guiding light for the whole team. He is one of the best defenders in Serie A." - Former Fiorentina head coach Raffaele Palladino
