18-year-old Rabbi Matondo has followed in the footstep of ex-Manchester City prodigy Jadon Sancho to complete a switch to the Bundesliga. The Welshman who has been tipped as a prospective future star joins Schalke 04 in a deal which will reportedly cost the German outfit 9 million euros ($10.3 million).
According to an official statement released by Schalke on Wednesday, Matondo penned a five-year contract and will wear the No. 14 jersey. The young winger's acquisition comes as a huge scoop for Domenico Tedesco's struggling side as he recently attracted huge plaudits from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola despite failing to break into the first team.
"We worked for a very long time on Rabbi (his transfer) because we're so convinced of his potential," Tedisco stated during the attacker's unveiling.
"He is extremely quick and technically good." "We should also not forget that he's still very young. That's why we'll give him the time that he needs to settle at Schalke and in the Bundesliga."
@rabbi_matondo's first words as an #S04 player #s04 #WelcomeRabbi pic.twitter.com/S5r3Ovp0JO
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) January 30, 2019
With an enormous potential to become one of the world's finest players in the near future, Manchester City ensured that a buy-back clause was inserted in Matondo's contract. According to German outlet Kickers, the Citizens will be required to pay a staggering 50 million-euro ($57.1 million) should they come back knocking.
Clearly, Pep Guardiola's side has learned its lesson from Jadon Sancho situation back in 2017. Having joined Borussia Dortmund for a reported 9.1 million-euro ($10.5 million), the England attacker has taken this season's Bundesliga by storm, scoring six goals and providing 11 assists in 19 league appearances.
His impressive form has aided Die BVB to secure the top spot in the German league while it aims to secure the title for the first time since 2012.
