Gelsenkirchen, Germany – Schalke confirmed on Wednesday the club has signed midfielder Raffael on loan from Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev for the remainder of the season.
The Royal Blues also have an option to purchase the 27-year-old Brazilian, who has experience in the German top flight, having spent four seasons with Hertha Berlin.
Raffael joined Kiev from the capital club last summer and made nine league appearances for the Ukrainian squad while featuring in two Champions League matches. In 110 Bundesliga matches for Berlin, Raffael has bagged 23 goals.
"Because of our ongoing injury misfortune, we have decided to dip into the transfer market again," Schalke general manager Horst Heldt told the club's official website. "We are very pleased that the signing of Raffael is complete. He strengthens our options in attack."
Schalke have taken 25 points from 17 matches this season, leaving them in seventh place in the Bundesliga, five points shy of a Champions League qualifying spot.
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