FC Schalke 04 sign Benito Raman from Fortuna Düsseldorf

“We watched Benito very intensively last season, as his goal threat and work rate made him stand out,” explained Jochen Schneider. “We are sure that he will also win over the fans with his style of play.”

Head coach David Wagner is also convinced. “We are very pleased that Benito has chosen Schalke 04. With ten goals and six assists last season, he has shown that he can make an impact at the highest level,” said Wagner. “Two other factors are equally as important for our future style of play – in the 18/19 season, he was amongst the players who made the most sprints over the season and had some of the best running stats in the league. That should also be the case next season in Schalke colours.”

Benito Raman wants to build on a Royal Blue tradition. “I am very happy to be here. There have been a number of Belgian players who have achieved a lot here in the past. If I can build on their performances, that would make me very proud. I’ll give everything to do that.”

Raman began his career as a child in his native Belgium at Cercle Melle (1998) and SV Munkzwalm (1998-2002), before joining the youth set up at KAA Gent in 2002, where the forward went on to make his professional debut at the age of 17 in September 2011. Raman remained with the club until 2016, spending time out on loan at AC Beerschot (2012-13), KV Kortrijk (2013-14) and VV St. Truden (2016).

Raman and KAA Gent became Belgian champions in 2016 and the attacker joined Standard Lüttich the following summer before heading to Fortuna Düsseldorf on loan in 2017. Fortuna took up an option to make the deal permanent the following year, signing Raman to a four-year contract. Raman made 28 Bundesliga appearances (10 goals), 28 second-division appearances (10 goals) in addition to three DFB-Pokal outings (1 goal).