Schalke Nab Katic! Deal Done at a Bargain Price?!
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Schalke 04 have officially signed Bosnian international defender Nikola Katic, securing him until June 30th, 2028. The 28-year-old joins the Royal Blues from FC Zürich, having spent time on loan at Plymouth Argyle in the English Championship, where he played under current Schalke head coach Miron Muslic.
Sky Germany reports that Schalke managed to secure Katic for a significantly reduced price, reportedly around €450k plus add-ons, despite his estimated value being around €1.5 million. This represents a shrewd piece of business for the Gelsenkirchen club.
Katic brings a wealth of experience to Schalke, having played in Croatia, Scotland, Switzerland, and England. He has made over 250 professional appearances, scoring 17 goals.
What Schalke's Management and Katic Say
Youri Mulder, director of professional football at Schalke, highlighted Katic's qualities: "With Nikola Katic, we are adding an internationally experienced central defender, who stands at an impressive 1.94 metres tall and is excellent in aerial duels. He is an aggressive and physically imposing defender. Nikola worked with Miron Muslic at Plymouth, so he is already familiar with his expectations and methods."
Head coach Miron Muslic added: "With his skill set, Nikola will be a valuable addition to our squad. He has the qualities to take on a leadership role within the team. I’m pleased we were able to complete the transfer at this early stage of pre-season, so Nikola can integrate fully into our preparations."
Katic himself is excited about the move: "Playing for Schalke 04 and in the 2. Bundesliga in Germany represent a great challenge for me. I didn’t need to think twice about accepting their offer. The fact that Miron Muslic is my coach is just one of the factors that convinced me. I’m coming to Schalke to contribute to the team’s success with my performances."
Schalke fans will be hoping Katic can solidify their defence and help them push for promotion back to the Bundesliga.