News Focus
- Schalke 04 agree terms to sign Satoshi Tanaka from Fortuna Düsseldorf
- Transfer fee reduced to €1 million after relegation clause activated
- 23-year-old defensive midfielder to undergo medical examination
- Japan international joined Düsseldorf from Sanfrecce Hiroshima in January
Schalke 04 have reached a complete agreement to sign their first player of the summer window. The German club will capture Japanese midfielder Satoshi Tanaka from Fortuna Düsseldorf for a significantly reduced fee.
Media outlet Sky Germany reports that Schalke will pay only €1 million to activate the player’s release clause. This amount fell sharply from €10 million after Düsseldorf dropped to the third division.
Reporter Florian Plettenberg states that Schalke informed Düsseldorf of their decision to trigger the clause on Saturday. Officials will now schedule the medical tests before the transfer becomes official.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder moved to Germany in the winter transfer window. Former sporting director Sven Mislintat signed him from J1 League team Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Tanaka’s current contract runs until 2030.
He played 13 matches in the second tier, recording two assists. The player did not earn selection for Japan’s national team at the World Cup. He will now compete in the top flight with Schalke after their promotion from the second division.