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Hasan Kuruçay: I’d never seen 1,000 fans at training before
Saturday’s game (23/8) against VfL Bochum won’t be Hasan Kuruçay’s first at the VELTINS-Arena, though it will be his first match there as a Royal Blue. The defender suffered a 1-0 defeat with Eintracht Braunschweig in the 2023/24 season in Gelsenkirchen and is now hoping to taste success there tomorrow night.
“We’re well prepared and we’re desperate to pick up all three points,” said Kuruçay, who signed for the Royal Blues just three days before the competitive opener against Hertha BSC but didn’t feature in that match. He then made the starting XI in Kaiserslautern the following week and again in Leipzig, impressing on both occasions – first as the central defender in a back-three at the Betzenberg, then in the DFB-Pokal on the left side of defence following Nikola Katic’s return.
Versatile defender
“I can play in a number of positions across the back. I’m right footed but I’m comfortable using my left as well. I’ll play wherever the coach puts me and wherever I can best help the team,” explained the Denmark-born defender, who also holds Turkish citizenship. He added that the understanding with his fellow defenders is improving day by day.
The newcomer has quickly settled into the squad. “It’s always a bit tricky at first when you join a new team, but I feel more at home every day – not least because the whole squad helped me right from the start and welcomed me with open arms.” The same goes for the Schalke supporters, who have already made a big impression on him. “I’d never seen 1,000 fans at training before, it was incredible,” said the 27-year-old. “I already knew that every home game here is sold out and that Schalke always bring big numbers on the road.”
When I heard about Schalke’s interest, I was delighted. For me it was immediately clear that I wanted to make the move.
Most recently at Belgian top-flight side OH Leuven, Kuruçay is already well acquainted with the 2. Bundesliga after 18 months with Eintracht Braunschweig. That made his decision straightforward when Schalke came calling a few weeks ago. “When I heard about Schalke’s interest, I was delighted. For me it was immediately clear that I wanted to make the move,” said the centre-back.
Good exchange with Muslic
Before signing, Kuruçay spoke in detail with the sporting management and with head coach Miron Muslic. “My first impressions from those talks have been confirmed,” he explained. “The coach demands a lot from us, but at the same time he gives us so much energy.”
The defender is also feeling settled off the pitch. “My wife and my son came with me and we’ve already found a place to live,” he revealed. All that’s missing now is a first home win to round off his opening month at Schalke in perfect fashion.
