Adil Aouchiche completed a free transfer from Sunderland to FC Schalke on deadline day
Adil Aouchiche has claimed that he and new club FC Schalke have “big plans” following his permanent transfer from Sunderland on deadline day.
The midfielder had spent the first half of the campaign out on loan with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, but ended up playing an unexpectedly significant role in the latter stages of the Black Cats’ January business.
With Aouchiche occupying a sixth and final foreign loan spot, the Frenchman saw his temporary stint north of the border brought to a premature end so that he could complete a free move to Germany. This, in turn, allowed Simon Adingra to sign for AS Monaco on loan, paving the way for Sunderland to seal an agreement for Ecuadorian winger Nilson Angulo.
Speaking about the decision to part company with Aouchiche on a permanent basis, Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “Loan opportunities are beneficial in the short term, but moving forward, we felt Adil needed a project with a longer-term view. He possesses many qualities and is extremely hard-working, so this opportunity at a prestigious club like FC Schalke 04 is fully deserved. We thank him for his contribution to our club and wish him well for the future.”
What has Adil Aouchiche said about his transfer to FC Schalke from Sunderland?
And in his first interview as a Schalke player, Aouchiche has admitted that he is eager to get started with the Bundesliga 2 outfit, who currently sit top of the table after 20 matches, and are desperately chasing promotion back to the German top flight.
In a conversation with Schalke’s official website, he said: “When the call came, I was really pleased and excited about the chance to join Schalke. We’ve got big plans, and I want to play my part in making sure we have a successful second half of the season. I want to show that in every training session.”
The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join ourSAFC WhatsApp channel.
Explaining the decision to sign Aouchiche, Schalke’s director of professional football, Youri Mulder, said: “Adil fits our playing philosophy perfectly with his intensity and game intelligence. As a box-to-box player, he’ll be an exciting option for us, with his physicality, high work rate and sharp acceleration over the first few yards. Adil reads the game well, is constantly available for the ball and isn’t afraid to play a risky pass. We’re really pleased to have him on board.”
Aouchiche initially signed for Sunderland from FC Lorient in 2023, and would go on to make 38 appearances in red and white, scoring two goals and assisting two more. Last season, he spent a spell on loan at Championship side Portsmouth, before completing a temporary move to Aberdeen last June. Across 30 outings for the Dons, he recorded three goals and a further two assists.
Continue Reading