Schalke complete Obasi signing

Schalke have tied up a deal to sign forward Chinedu Obasi from Bundesliga rivals Hoffenheim once the transfer window reopens in January.

German newspaper Bild claims the 25-year-old will arrive on loan until the end of the season, where the Royal Blues will then decide whether or not to retain him permanently for five million euros, the value of his release clause, before he can potentially put pen to paper on a contract until 2015.

Hoffenheim sporting director Ernst Tanner confirmed the transfer on Friday evening, but did not ratify the details of the move.

Obasi had previously intimated that his time at Hoffenheim had come to an end, speaking of his desire for a change of scenery after four years of service at the German outfit since his arrival from Lyn in 2007.

“I love Hoffenheim, because they helped me grow as a footballer. But somehow I think that it is time to change,” he said.

Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt was glowing in his assessment of the flanker.

“Obasi is a fast and versatile attacking player. In addition, he is immediately eligible to play in the Europa League,” he said.

However, the futures of Raul and Jefferson Farfan seem far more uncertain as the duo are still yet to enter discussions with Schalke about extending their contracts past 2012.