Hwang Hee-chan Leaves Wolves for Schalke Loan, Returning to Germany After Five Years

Hwang Hee-chan completed a dramatic move to Schalke 04 just hours before the summer transfer deadline, ending an uncertain spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers and returning to Germany after five years.

Schalke announced on its website that the South Korea international forward would join on loan from the English Championship club through June 30, 2027. Reports from local media said the agreement includes an option for Schalke to sign him permanently for €3 million at the end of the season.

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I thought this team would suit me well after watching Schalke’s matches last season.

Hwang previously played for RB Leipzig until 2021, when he moved to Wolverhampton. Wolves’ relegation from the Premier League last season prompted efforts to find him a new club. Several Premier League and Championship teams were linked with him, but Schalke ultimately secured the transfer.

The German club returned to the Bundesliga after winning the second division last season. From 2023 to 2026, Schalke had competed in the second tier. The club has finished Bundesliga runners-up seven times but has never won the title.

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When I visited Schalke’s home stadium while playing for Leipzig in 2021, there were no spectators because of COVID-19.

Hwang said he believed Schalke suited him after watching the team last season. He recalled visiting Schalke’s home stadium while playing for Leipzig in 2021, when pandemic restrictions meant the match had no spectators. He said he now looked forward to playing there in front of a large crowd.

His expected debut is the Bundesliga second-round home match against Bayern Munich on the morning of Sept. 6. That could produce a South Korean matchup with Bayern defender Kim Min-jae, his national-team teammate.

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I’m now eagerly looking forward to the day I can play as a Schalke player in front of many spectators.