Algerian international Nabil Bentaleb has completed a loan move from Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League to Schalke in the German Bundesliga.
The 21-year-old had been a regular for the north London club for two years since the end of 2013, making 66 appearances for Spurs over the course of three seasons, but only five of those came in 2015-16.
The French-born Algerian national team starlet was made aware that his services were no longer required at White Hart Lane, and the search began for a club that would appreciate his talents before the close of the transfer window.
Along came Schalke, who have been negotiating a deal for the player for the better part of the last two months.
The midfielder’s season-long loan was agreed for a fee of approximately EU€1 million, with the deal including an option allowing the German club to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign.
‘I first learned of Schalke’s interest six weeks ago and have been hoping since then that the transfer would be completed,’ Bentaleb commented following the successful loan deal.
Bentaleb has made 19 appearances for Algeria, taking part in all three of their group stage matches at the 2014 World Cup, where the Fennec Foxes fell to champions Germany.