Leo Scienza is back at Schalke 04. The former Schalker joined U23 coach Jakob Fimpel for a fitness training session at the club's facilities. Scienza has maintained a close connection to the club, visiting the U23 team in May. However, a transfer to Schalke is not on the table, as the player's potential transfer fee would be too high. Schalke 04 is close to signing Satoshi Tanaka from Fortuna Düsseldorf. Scienza's visit to the Ruhr region was for a different reason: he got married in Wattenscheid on Friday and used the opportunity to stay fit at Schalke. Under coach Jakob Fimpel, Scienza played in all remaining games in the Regionalliga Rückrunde after Fimpel's appointment in March 2022. In eight games, Scienza scored four goals and provided four assists. Despite this, he left the S04-U23 due to age reasons at the end of the season. The former Bundesliga promoted S04 did not offer him a professional contract, and Scienza moved to the 2nd league to 1. FC Magdeburg. Through SSV Ulm and 1. FC Heidenheim, his way led him to England in the summer of 2025. Scienza almost fulfilled his dream of playing in the Premier League. FC Southampton was just one win away from the Play-off final against Hull City. With seven goals and ten assists, he was the second-best scorer of the "Saints" last season. However, after his return from Gelsenkirchen to the island, the ex-Schalker experienced a promotion shock. The English Football League (EFL) excluded FC Southampton from the final game due to a spying affair. In addition, the "Saints" will start the new season with a four-point deduction. "For me, the dream of playing in the Premier League was something I fought for with all my might. That's why it hurts so much," Scienza wrote in an Instagram post after the incident. His future at the second-tier club is open despite a contract until 2029. According to English media reports, several top-flight clubs, such as Leeds United or Tottenham, are interested in the midfielder. Scienza has gained the strength for a new adventure on Sunday at Schalke.