Schalke sign South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan on loan from Wolves
Schalke have secured a Deadline Day signing in the form of Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan, who is joining the Bundesliga club on a season-long loan. The 30-year-old has previously had stints in Germany with Hamburg and RB Leipzig.
Hwang began his senior career in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg, initially developing at feeder club FC Liefering before establishing himself in Salzburg’s first team alongside Erling Haaland. After a loan spell with Hamburg in 2018/19, he joined RB Leipzig in 2020, before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan in 2021 and making the transfer permanent a year later.
The forward has also been a key figure for South Korea since making his senior debut in 2016, representing his country at multiple major tournaments - including this summer's FIFA World Cup. He famously scored the stoppage-time winner against Portugal at the 2022 World Cup to send South Korea into the last 16, while also helping his nation win gold at the 2018 Asian Games.
“In Hwang Hee-chan, we’ve bolstered our attacking options," said Youri Mulder, director of professional football at Schalke.
"He can play in multiple positions, and we see his many years of experience in a variety of leagues and on the international stage as a big plus."
“Schalke impressed me last season," added Hwang.
"I’ve been studying their style of play closely and think that I’d be a good fit for the team. In 2021, I played at the stadium for Leipzig, but unfortunately there were no fans allowed in. I can hardly wait to experience the atmosphere in front of a sold-out crowd as a Schalke player."
His first opportunity to don the famous royal blue could come this Saturday (5 August), when Schalke host reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich at the Veltins Arena. Hwang is the Ruhr club's final summer signing, following the likes of Robin Gosens and Edin Džeko.
