Schalke sign Japanese international midfielder Satoshi Tanaka from Fortuna Düsseldorf
Newly promoted Schalke have signed 23-year-old defensive midfielder Satoshi Tanaka, who made his Japan international debut last year, from Fortuna Düsseldorf following their relegation from Bundesliga 2.
Tanaka has signed a contract until 2030 with Schalke, having swapped Sanfrecce Hiroshima for Düsseldorf in December and making 13 Bundesliga 2 appearances last season.
Youri Mulder, Schalke's director of professional football, said: "Satoshi has exactly the qualities we were looking for in that holding midfield role. He is aggressive without the ball, dynamic and agile, while his work rate and intensity fit our game really well. We're confident he can help us in the Bundesliga."
Tanaka, who made his Japan debut in a 2-0 win over China in June 2025, said: "Those in charge at Schalke explained to me in detail during our discussions just how well I would fit into their style of football in the Bundesliga. That really impressed me. I am very much looking forward to those first training sessions together at the beginning of July and to playing at the VELTINS-Arena."
Schalke are due to return for pre-season training on 5 July and play their first competitive match of 2026/27 away to Hallescher FC in the DFB Cup first round on 21-24 August, before opening their first Bundesliga campaign since 2022/23 the following weekend.
