Henning Matriciani joins Waldhof Mannheim on loan

“Henning’s hard work and dedication at Schalke over the last years have seen him take the impressive step up from the fourth division to the Bundesliga. However, ahead of this season we informed him that he would likely not see much playing time and we then sought to find a solution together,” sporting director Marc Wilmots said on behalf of the club’s sporting management. “The time in Mannheim is meant to help Henning continue to develop. We wish him all the best for his time there.”

Henning Matriciani commented: “The sporting management explained to me in honest discussions that my chances for minutes will most likely be low in the coming weeks and months. I’m therefore pleased to have the chance to get some match practice in Mannheim, with the aim of coming back to fight for my place at Schalke again next season. I’m looking forward to this year with SV Waldhof and I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for S04 from afar.”

The defender joined FC Schalke 04’s U23s in summer 2020 from SV Lippstadt 08. After strong performances in the Regionalliga West, the defender made his debut in the Bundesliga in May 2021. He then signed his first professional contract that summer, earning promotion back to the top flight with the club the following season. The defender played 22 times in the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign and represented Germany at the U21 European Championship in Georgia at the end of that season.