Michael Gregoritsch joins FC Schalke 04 on loan

„We are delighted to be adding Michael Gregoritsch to our squad for the second half of the season. He has proven himself in the Bundesliga already and his qualities will strengthen our attack,“ said Jochen Schneider, sporting director.

„I am really looking forward to this new challenge and I see this as a great opportunity for me to play for such a massive club,“ said Michael Gregoritsch. „I can hardly wait to play in front of the Schalke fans cheering us on.“

Gregoritsch’s career began at Grazer AK (2001-2008). He then joined Kapfenberger SV until 2011, scoring his first goal in the Austrian top flight at just 15 years and 361 days old. This makes Michael Gregoritsch the youngest goalscorer in Austrian Bundesliga history.

In 2011, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim signed the Graz-born midfielder, but loaned him straight back to his former club. Further loan spells followed at FC St. Pauli (2013) and VfL Bochum (2014). In 2015, Hamburger SV acquired his services, before he joined Augsburg two years later. In 125 Bundesliga games so far, Gregoritsch has scored 29 goals and provided eleven assists. His debut with the Austrian national team came in September 2016 in a 2-1 win over Georgia. Since then, Gregoritsch has made a total of 17 caps for his country’s senior team.