El‑Faouzi signs million‑euro contract with FC Schalke 04

At 10:49 a.m. Soufiane El‑Faouzi (23) walked into the S04 office in Gelsenkirchen and put his signature on a new contract running to 2030. His annual salary now tops roughly 960,000 EUR – a four‑fold increase from his original deal. The agreement contains no release clause, meaning a sale would only be considered for offers well above 10 million EUR.

Why the deal is a win for FC Schalke 04

The midfield engine arrived in summer 2025 for a modest 250,000 EUR from Aachen and has since pushed his market value to 9 million EUR. Last season he started every match, netted two goals and provided five assists. His contributions helped the club clinch the league lead after promotion. The new wage package rewards his growth and locks him in long‑term, while the transfer clause puts the club in a strong negotiating spot.

What the contract means for the campaign

FC Schalke 04 currently sits first in the 2. Bundesliga with 70 points, 21 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses from 34 games. They lead by 8 points over SV Elversberg and have posted a recent form of WWLLW, the latest being a 1‑0 victory over Eintracht Braunschweig on 17 May 2026. El‑Faouzi is expected to further energise the attack and shore up the midfield – the side has already scored 50 goals while conceding 31 (+19 goal difference).

What lies ahead?

If Schalke secures promotion, a potential sale of El‑Faouzi in the summer of 2027 could boost the club’s finances. Management has made clear that any offer would need to exceed 10 million EUR to trigger discussions. For now, El‑Faouzi remains focused on delivering strong performances to help the team stay atop the table and cement his status as a key player.