Report: Schalke 04 extended with storm talent Matthew Hoppe - contract also applies in the event of a relegation

In the catastrophic season of FC Schalke 04, he was probably the biggest glimmer of hope so far: the only 19-year-old Matthew Hoppe has been guaranteed for Schalke's goals in the past few weeks. Since his Bundesliga debut in November, the young American has already scored five goals in five games. The Schalke fans' concern that Hoppe's current contract expires at the end of the season should have been correspondingly great. But now the Köngisblauen has apparently agreed a long -term extension with Hoppe, as Sky Sport reports.

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Accordingly, Hoppe should soon sign a professional contract that binds him to the traditional club by summer 2023. Particularly important at the moment: The new working paper should be valid in both the Bundesliga and in the second division. As the bottom of the table with nine points behind a non-relegation place, those responsible around sports director Jochen Schneider also have to plan a possible second division season.

Hoppe's way to the shooting star in the Bundesliga is remarkable: the Californian -born had actually intended to study in San Diego in summer 2019. Instead, he convinced those responsible at Schalke in a trial training session and signed a contract. And while his beginnings hesitated in the broken smithy, he benefited from the Schalke-Sturm elend this season: in November the then S04 coach Manuel Baum put him up against Gladbach from the start. Since then he has established himself among the professionals - also under Baum's successor Christian Gross.