Germany’s Shkodran Mustafi has joined Schalke 04 on a free transfer, after spending about four and half years at Arsenal.
The 28-year-old defender joined the North-London side in August 2016 from Spanish outfit Valencia around 40 million euros under the watch of France’s Arsene Wenger.
Since his arrival to the club, he has bagged 151 appearances for the Gunners as one of Arsenal’s prominent players in the defense department.
Recently, he has been in a pecking order under Mikel Arteta as he could manage nine appearances in all competitions- only three coming from the Premier League.
Hence, Mustafi terminated his contract at Arsenal and made a transfer by signing a six-month contract at Schalke, with the Gunners due to be paid a meager compensation fee.
Arsenal’s technical director, Edu Gaspar has expressed his profound gratitude to the 2014 World Cup winner for his contributions to the club since 2016
“We thank Musti for his contribution at Arsenal which has spanned four-and-a-half years, more than 150 appearances and a prominent role in two FA Cup wins. Everyone associated with the club wishes Musti and his family the very best wishes for the next chapter in his career.” Edu said on the club’s website
In tandem, Gunners boss, Mikel Arteta has poured encomiums on the German and lauded the impact he has made for the club and he wished him the very best at his new club
“Musti has been a key player for us for a long period of time. He played a very important part in my first season as manager and I’d like to thank him for his professionalism and for always being ready when called upon. Everybody at Arsenal wishes Musti well at Schalke.” He said.
The club also thanked Mustafi’s philanthropic gestures off the pitch, including the donation of 16,000 meals to help the residents of Islington amid the ravaging global pandemic.
