The 27-year-old winger joins Schalke 04 as a free agent after leaving Bundesliga side VfL Bochum when his contract expired in June 2024, marking the end of his three-year tenure with the club.

“I’m proud to be able to represent the Royal Blues on the pitch in future,” said Antwi-Adjei.

“The club’s management team laid out a clear plan of how I will be able to help the team with my experience and quality. That’s exactly what I want to show the fans,” he added.

Antwi-Adjei has agreed to a two-year contract with Schalke 04, keeping him at the club until June 2026.

He will wear the number 18 jersey and is expected to play a key role for the Royal Blues as they aim to return to the Bundesliga.

💙 Glück auf, Christopher! 💙#S04 pic.twitter.com/aRv0Y14G97

— FC Schalke 04 (@s04) August 23, 2024

Having spent nearly his entire career in Germany, Antwi-Adjei has played for several clubs, including SC Paderborn and others. His extensive experience in German football will be a valuable asset for Schalke 04.

Last season, the Ghanaian winger made 25 appearances for Bochum, contributing two goals and two assists as the club narrowly avoided relegation.

Since making his debut for Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars, in November 2019, Antwi-Adjei has earned three caps.

Antwi-Adjei’s football journey began with his hometown club, Fortuna Hagen, in 1999. He later progressed through the youth ranks at Hasper SV, MSV Duisburg, Eintracht Dortmund, and Westfalia Herne, making his Oberliga Westphalia debut in 2013.

He then moved to TSG Sprockhövel before signing with SC Paderborn 07. During his time at Paderborn, he was part of the squad that achieved back-to-back promotions, taking the club from the third tier to the Bundesliga.

At Bochum, Antwi-Adjei was a key player, helping the team maintain its Bundesliga status for three consecutive seasons. Over his career, he has made 113 appearances in the German top flight and 62 in Bundesliga 2.

The club suffered their 21st league defeat of the season in a 1-0 loss at Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday.

Returning to Schalke’s stadium early on Wednesday, the players were met by up to 600 of the club’s fans.

Gelsenkirchen police said fans had already started lighting fireworks and flares near the ground after the game.

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“Once the team arrived and stepped off the bus there were severe protests,” police said in a statement. “Eggs were thrown at the players, who were also verbally attacked.”

In response to the incident, Schalke said some “unidentified individuals clearly stepped over lines that are non-negotiable”.

“While there is understandable frustration and anger for the relegation, the club will never accept it when the physical integrity of its players and staff is put in danger,” Schalke said.

The 2018 Bundesliga runners-up are one of the most well-supported clubs in Germany, typically drawing more than 60,000 fans to home games.